p' . 














.^^ 
%■ 


(J 

o 








.^\^ 



i3> 



- -^^^ "^^ '. i 



a5 v:. 



v\^ 



.'^' 















,-^^ 






-H -r 



rP. 



fi ■ '^ 









N^^ 



.0 c 



rO^ V 












SS' 



xC> -^.^^ 



r?- 



^ .< 












%: 






« 


^ ^^^ 


^^^ 


^' 






^ 


^^ 














-i^. 






•^A 


v^^ 




^^ 


^^ 


-r 




' ^' / 





^-, 



a- 



V 



^' 






0' 






4^ ^^. 



^.S 



r^%- 



.^' 



3^ 






>^\s^^,> 






,^^ 









v^^ ''"•^ '^ %•• 



■S'^ '^^. 






-V > 



-# 



V * ^ -^^ 



^^ 






.-y , 



.^^ 



>jr- / * « N 



CO' 



-9 fid 



,-0^ 



<?*. C,^ 









</> X 



^^^ 



THE ATHEN/EUM PRESS SERIES 

G. L. KITTREDGE and C. T. WINCHESTER 

GENERAL EDITORS 






XLbc 

Btbena^um press Series. 

This series is intended to furnish a 



library of the best English literature 
from Chaucer to the present time m a 
form adapted to the needs of both the 
]t|:udent and the general reader. The 
works selected are carefully edited, with 
biographical and critical introductions, 
full explanatory notes, and other neces- 
sary apparatus. 



Htbene^um press Series 



SELECTIONS 



Sir Thomas Malory's 



MORTE DARTHUR 



WITH INTRODUCTION, NOTES, AND GLOSSARY 



WILLIAM EDWARD MEAD, Ph.D. (Leipsic) 

PROFESSOR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE 
IN VVESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 




TWO COFTES RECEIVED 

Boston, U.S.A., and Lo^^( O '^ C ^ *^' 
GINN & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 

Cbe 9[tl)en{tttm press 

1897 






i-krjr 



Entered at Stationers' Hall 



Copyright, 1897, by 
WILLIAM EDWARD MEAD 



all rights reserved 



/Z-3i)sY 



PREFACE. 



The aim in these selections from Le Morte Darthur has 
been to present connected wholes rather than fragmentary 
and mutilated passages. Hence Books I and XVIII are 
printed with only minor omissions, and Books II, XIII, 
XVII, XXI, without abridgment. These six books contain 
some of the choicest portions of the Morte Da7'thm\ and are 
really representative of its character. Of course there are 
other extended passages and even whole books that might 
well have been included. The chief regret of any lover of 
the Morte Darthur is at being obliged to make selections at 
all. Of the omitted portions perhaps Books VII and XII 
appeal most strongly to the general reader. 

Text. — The text here offered follows letter for letter 
Caxton's edition of 1485 (as reprinted by Sommer in 1889), 
but with certain modifications made necessary by the plan 
of the Athenaeum Press Series. 

The following letters and characters have been repre- 
sented by their modern equivalents. All expansions (except 
andiox &) are indicated by italics : 



ai 


= a«, 


as m 


sage = sawge 





= 0//, 




somos = somows. 


e 


= e;/, 




thene = the«ne. 


u 


= u«, 




Lancelot = Lau;/celot 


3 

I 


= gh, 




my^tely = my^/^tely. 
Ihu = ]\\es\x. 



1 In a few cases a = aw. Cf. ca = caw, IS 9. 



IV PREFACE. 

n = n«, as in theiie = then«e. 



f 


= s, 


H 


=th, 


u 


= v, 


V 


= u, 



fo 


= so. 


be 


= tJlQ. 


¥ 


= that. 


loue 


= love. 


vpon 


= upon 



1. In a very few instances Sommer slightly amends 
Caxton's text by adding in italics letters that had been 
accidentally omitted. These italics have been reproduced.^ 

2. Caxton's punctuation^ has been entirely disregarded, 
except in the few passages here reprinted in black letter. 
Capital letters have been regulated according to modern 
usage. 

3. The division lines of the original paragraphs have 
been shifted so as to correspond more closely with the divi- 
sions in the narrative. In many cases, however, the para- 
graphs are so loosely constructed that they afford opportunity 
for much difference of opinion as to where a paragraph 
should begin or end. 

4. Systematic reconstruction of the text has not been 
attempted, but some obvious errors have been corrected at 
the bottom of the page or discussed in the Notes. In every 
such case the original reading is also given. 

The various readings of the later editions have been 
sparingly used. There is no evidence that the variants 
are based upon Malory's MS., and they are therefore of 
little more authority than the emendations of a modern 
editor. Moreover, they are for the most part very trivial, 

1 Commonly the old text has th printed in full, but \> also appears, 
and in a very few cases y for \> ; e.g., ye = th^, 23 5. 

2 Cf. gentilw^man, 108 28; eyth^-r, 110 29; tw^, 143 33 ; Sir, 203 17. 

3 In all but a very few cases (where the period is used), Caxton's 
only marks of punctuation are €1 , used to indicate the beginning of 
paragraphs, and /, which does duty for comma, semicolon, colon, and 
period. 



PREFACE. V 

and afford slight help in the emendation of the text. Where 
they appear to be of value they have been cited. A really 
critical text of the Morte Darthur can be produced only by 
the aid of critical editions of the French romances. Com- 
parison with scattered MSS. will not suffice. I have there- 
fore thought it better to defer this work for the present 
rather than to leave it half done. 

Notes. — The Notes are designed to stimulate further 
research, and hence make frequent reference to books that 
should be within the reach of every student of Arthurian 
romance. As far as possible, I have endeavored to let one 
part of Malory interpret another, but 1 have also sought to 
find parallels in other Middle English literature. The 
Notes are not primarily linguistic, for the especial value of 
the Morte Darthur to us is that it is a noble piece of litera- 
ture ; yet they take account of unusual forms and construc- 
tions, and make frequent reference to Baldwin's Inflections 
and Sy?itax of the Morte d' Arthur^ to Kellner, etc. The 
phonology of the forms in Malory is so fully treated in 
Hermann Romstedt's Preisschrift Die e?iglische Schriftsprache 
bei Caxton^ Gottingen, 1891, that the student may be referred, 
once for all, to his discussion. 

It may be proper to add that, with the exception of a few 
cases where specific credit is given, the Notes owe nothing 
to other editions of the Morte Darthur. 

Glossary. — The Glossary is based upon that in Sommer's 
edition, with additions or modifications, and an entirely 
independent set of references. The list of words is not 
intended to be exhaustive, but to include in the main only 
those that may be unfamiliar to the modern reader. 

In conclusion it is a pleasure to thank Dr. Sommer and 

1 For a review of Baldwin's book, see the Anglia, v, 323, 324. Cor- 
rections to Baldwin's list of strong verbs are made by Hempl in Mod. 
Lang. Notes, ix, 479-481, and by Baldwin himself, ibid., x, 92-94. 



VI 



PREFACE. 



Mr. Alfred Nutt for full permission to use the exact reprint 
of Caxton's edition of 1485. The conclusions of Dr. Som- 
mer with regard to the sources I have in the main adopted, 
but I have been obliged to differ from his views in some 
points, particularly on the source of Book XXI. He is, 
moreover, not responsible for the form in which the text 
appears, for the Introduction, the Notes, or the Indexes. 

Professor Kittredge of Harvard University contributes to 
the Introduction a short paper presenting new views on Sir 
Thomas Malory and his family, and to the Notes the com- 
ments signed '' K." He has also read the entire book with 
much care, and made many helpful suggestions, for which 
I offer my sincere thanks. 

My indebtedness to the investigations of the leading 
students of Arthurian romance I have endeavored to indicate 
in each case. I may remark, however, that in citing refer- 
ences to speculations on various questions connected with 
the romances, I am by no means ready to adopt without 
reserve the theories proposed. I have merely desired by 
making such references to call the attention of the reader to 
problems which he may work out for himself. 



W. E. M. 



MiDDLETOWN, CoNN., 

May 5, 1897. 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. page 

I. Literary Character of the Fifteenth Century - ix 
II. Sir Thomas Malory and his Family (by Professor 

Kittredge) xiii 

III. Editions of the Morte Darthur - - - - xx 

IV. Purpose and Method of the Morte Darthur - xxv 
V. Sources of the Morte Darthur . . - - xxix 

VI. History and Influence of the Morte Darthur xxxviii 
VII. The Literary Value of the Morte Darthur 



MALORY'S MORTE DARTHUR. 



PAGE 

Caxton's Preface i 

Caxton's Table of Contents 3 

Text of Malory. 

BOOK 

L IS 

II. - 49 

XIII. - . - 82 

XVII. 121 

XVIII. ----- 167 

XXI. -" 

Books Referred to in Notes - - - - - - 241 

Notes 243 

Glossary 3^5 

Index to Malory's Morte Darthur 337 

Index to Introduction and Notes 343 



INTRODUCTION. 



I. 

The 15th century has had its full measure of condemna- 
tion as an unproductive period in English literary annals. 
Its barrenness is often contrasted unfavorably with the com- 
parative richness of the century that preceded it, and particu- 
larly with the marvellous fecundity of the age of Elizabeth. 
Taken as a whole, the literary output of the 15th century 
must be acknowledged to be small in quantity and mediocre 
in quality. Yet, singularly enough, the 15th century pro- 
duced one writer who shares with Chaucer the distinction 
of being read to-day by the general public. Sir Thomas 
Malory is, by popular consent at least, the greatest master 
of prose before the Revival of Learning. 

The popular verdict, which has marked the Morte Darthiir 
as worthy of the attention of the modern reader, while 
allowing all other early English prose — with the possible 
exception of the pseudo-Mandeville's Travels — to remain 
the undisturbed possession of scholars, may not be the 
surest test of the merit of the book as a piece of original 
composition. Some other names rank high in any survey 
of 15th-century literature, such as Fortescue and Fabyan and 
Capgrave and Pecocke. To take a single instance, For- 
tescue's Treatise on the Difference between Absolute and Limited 
Monarchy was, in its way, more original than the Morte 
Darthnr, and was probably quite beyond the powers of 
Malory. Yet the nature of the topics that Fortescue dis- 



X INTR OD UC TION. 

cussed must have made his readers few even in his own 
day. Malory, on the other hand, could appeal at the outset 
to a widespread interest in his subject, and he knew how to 
awaken interest where it had not existed. 

The 15th century was doubtless not an ideal time for a 
writer or a student. The utter neglect of English letters 
under Henry V, the selfishness and greed of the turbulent 
nobles who crowded the court of Henry VI and took advan- 
tage of his helplessness to make gains while they could, the 
wasting of England under the armies of York and of Lan- 
caster, fighting for — men hardly knew what, took away 
much of the inspiration for original literary production. 

Yet, as Emerson somewhere says, " every age has a 
thousand sides and signs and tendencies " ; and one who 
lives in the age itself cannot always tell whither it is drifting. 
In the 15th century the feudal system was tottering to its 
fall. The forms still survived, and the pomp and glitter 
of feudal life were present at every turn. But the times 
were evil, and they seemed to contain the promise of evil. 
In such an age, men who saw the troubled state of their own 
time, but who were not skilled as prophets, may well have 
dreamed of the olden days when the institutions which were 
rapidly going to decay had been vigorous with a new life. 
It is not strange, therefore, that when Malory cast about 
for a subject he turned away from the intrigues and petty 
quarrels of court factions to the deeds of an ideal king and 
an ideal court in a far-away age. 

We know indeed very little about the influences that 
shaped a writer in the turbulent 15th century. Some of 
them may have been more favorable than we commonly think. 
We may freely admit that the poetry, except that produced 
in the North, could hardly be worse. Hobbling, unin- 
spired doggerel most of it is, as inane as it is formless. But 
the prose, taken as a whole, is surely better than any that 



INTKODUCTION. xi 

England had produced since the Norman Conquest. There 
are modern readers who even prefer the simple, natural style 
of Malory and his contemporaries to the tortuous indirect- 
ness of much of the Elizabethan and early 17th-century 
prose. Malory opened new paths for the prose writer, and 
showed how men to whom the gift of song was denied might 
still write a rich and beautiful prose. Possibly his age was 
the most unfavorable in which a writer's lot could be cast, 
but those who hold that opinion are bound to give all the 
more credit to Malory for rising above the dead level of his 
time. 

It is perhaps worth while to note that England was not 
the only country in the 15th century where literature was in 
a depressed state. France, w^hich had for centuries been 
the wellspring whence other nations drew literary inspira- 
tion, was now reduced to comparative unproductiveness. 
She could point in Malory's time to Villon, Christine de 
Pisan, Charles d'Orleans, and, somewhat later, to Philippe 
de Comines and a few others, but she was no longer the 
central figure in European letters. 

Germany was split into little rival states and cities, and 
had no unified national life. The towns were the prey of 
robber barons, and the barons were the prey of one another. 
The development of manufactures and the extension of 
commerce had, to some extent, stimulated literature, or what 
passed for such. Some homely pieces like Till EiileJispiegel 
and Brant's Narrenschiff (1494) have a rough life and 
humor that contrast refreshingly with the dullness and 
solemn platitudes of the vast wastes of didactic verse which 
meet the student of the period. Yet no literary master- 
piece was produced in Germany in the century before the 
Reformation. 

The only country of Western Europe that has reason to 
boast of her literary production in the 15th century is Italy. 



xii INTR on UC TION. 

The sudden influx of the scholars of Constantinople and 
the generous patronage of men of letters by the Medici and 
rival princes made Italy a paradise for writers, and estab- 
lished her as the training school of the rest of Europe. For 
a time Italy was the intellectual light of the world, and for 
two or three generations she won greater recognition than 
any of the states that aspired to high place in learning or 
literature. 

As for the remaining countries of Europe in the 15th 
century, their literature, with a few marked exceptions,^ pre- 
sents nothing striking. The state of literature in England, 
though surely bad enough, was not so decidedly worse than 
that of the rest of Europe as one might at first imagine. 
The soil was preparing. for the great outburst of the follow- 
ing century. 

Malory, however, belongs to the older order. Scarcely a 
ripple of the great Renaissance movement had touched 
England when he began to write. He was himself entirely 
uninfluenced by it. He lived wholly in the Middle Ages, 
and breathed their very spirit into his great book of 
romances. Yet there must have been signs enough, even 
in Malory's time, that a new spirit was rising, and that the 
days of the old order were numbered. Tradesmen were 
acquiring political power and social recognition. The towns 
were rapidly growing in wealth and population and influence. 
The people were gaining more than the privileged classes. 
Each new turn of events that brought the king out of har- 
mony with his great nobles threw him into the hands of the 
people, and they did not fail to profit by the opportunity. 
The new common soldiers were a match for the knights and 
gentlemen. War abroad and civil strife at home had reduced 
the number of the nobles and made still easier the progress 

1 One of the most popular books of the century was the Nether- 
landish version of Reinke de Vos. 



INTRODUCTION. xiii 

of the social revolution. In a generation or two more, 
chivalry was the theme for a jest, and its glory had departed 
forever. 

\l} 

In any attempt to identify the author of the Morte Dar- 
thur with an historical Sir Thomas Malory, one must not 
look for demonstration. Probably no direct evidence on the 
subject exists. Public records and business papers of the 14th 
and 15th centuries may be expected to supply information 
about estates and offices and military service, but they are 
not likely to mention literary works." A high degree of prob- 
ability may, however, be arrived at. If, amongst the various 
Malorys of the 15th century, but one can be found who sat- 
isfies all the conditions of the problem, we may reasonably 
claim for him the authorship of this famous work, though 
no direct evidence of his connection with it be procurable. 

What the required conditions are may be seen from three 
places in the Mortc Darthur which mention Malory : 

(i) Caxton's Preface, in which he says he has printed 
"after a copye vnto me delyuerd, whyche copye Syr Thomas 
Malorye dyd take oute of certeyn bookes of frensshe and 
reduced it in to Englysshe " (Sommer, p. 3). 

(2) The concluding words of the last book : *' I praye you 
all lentyl men and lentyl wymmen that redeth this book of 
Arthur and his knyghtes . • . | praye for me whyle I am on 
lyue that god sende me good delyueraunce | & whan I am 
deed I praye you all praye for my soule [ for this book was 
ended the ix yere of the reygne of kyng edward the fourth | 
by syr Thomas Maleore knyght as Ihesu helpe hym for hys 

1 This section on Sir Thomas Malory and his family is contributed 
by Professor George Lyman Kittredge of Harvard University. 

■^ The reader will remember that the public records which furnish us 
with so much information about Chaucer say not a word about his poetry. 



xiv INTRODUCTIOIV. 

grete myght | as he is the seruaunt of Ihesu bothe day and 
nyght I " (Sommer, p. 86 1). These are obviously not the 
words of Caxton, as Dr. Sommer takes them to be, but the 
words of Malory himself. 

(3) Caxton's colophon, which says that the book " was 
reduced in to englysshe by syr Thomas Malory knyght as 
afore is sayd^ | and by me deuyded in to xxi bookes chap- 
ytred and enprynted | and fynysshed in thabbey westmestre 
the last day of luly the yere of our lord | M | CCCC | 
Ixxxv I " (Sommer, p. 861). 

From these passages it appears that any Sir Thomas 
Malory advanced as the author of the Morte Darthur must 
fulfill the following conditions : (i) He must have been a 
knight ; ^ (2) he must have been alive in the ninth year of 
Edward IV, which extended from Mar. 4, 1469, to Mar. 3, 
1470 (both included) ; (3) he must have been old enough in 
9 Edward IV to make it possible that he should have written 
this work. Further, Caxton does not say that he received 
the " copy " directly from the author, and his language may 
be held to indicate that Malory was dead when the book 
was printed. In this case he must have died before the 
last day of July, 1485, and we have a fourth condition to be 
complied with. 

Up to the present time ^ but one Thomas Malory has 
been discovered who fulfills these three imperative condi- 
tions, and this person satisfies also the fourth condition, 
which, as -^ have seen, is not entirely imperative. We may, 

^''That is, in Caxton's Preface. 

2"Sir/W^j/" is out of the question, though some have absurdly 
suggested it (see the reference in Sommer, ii, 2, n. i). 

3 This chapter is in part a reprint of an article entitled " Who was 
Sir Thomas Malory?" published in 1897 in the Harvard Studies and 
Notes in Philology and Literature, iv, 85-105. The reader is referred 
to that article for the details of the evidence as well as for a discussion 
of the baseless theory that Malory was a Welshman. The conjectural 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

therefore, accept him as the author of whom we are in 
search and insert his biography in our literary histories, at 
least until a better candidate offers. That such a candidate 
is likely to appear the present writer is not inclined to 
believe, for obviously, the number of knights named Thomas 
Malory and living at any single time must, of necessity, be 
small ; and, in the attempt to apply as rigid a test as possible 
to this identification, the pedigree and alliances of the several 
Malory (Malore) families have been carefully scrutinized. 

This Sir Thomas Malory ^ was (i) certainly a knight. (2) 
He survived the ninth year of Edward IV, dying Mar. 14, 
1470 (10 Edward IV). This fits the closing passage of the 
Morte Darthur. (3) He was not under fifty-seven years of 
age when he died, and he may have been seventy or above. 
(4) The Morte Dai'thur was not printed until some fifteen 
years after his death. 

The birth, circumstances, and education of this Sir 
Thomas Malory appear, so far as we can discover them, to 
fit well with his authorship of this work. He belonged to 
that class to whom the Arthurian stories directly appealed: 
he was a gentleman of an ancient house and a soldier.^ 

identification discussed in the present chapter was made public by the 
writer Mar. 15, 1894, at a meeting held at Columbia College in honor 
of Friedrich Diez (cf. Mod. Lang. Notes, April, 1894, ix, 253). It was 
put on record by the writer in a brief article on Malory published in 
1894 in vol. V of Johnson'' s Universal Cyclopedia (p. 498). In July, 
1896, Mr. T. W. Williams, who had, very naturally, not seen the brief 
article in Johnson^s Cyclopcedia., suggested {Athenceum, No. 3585) that 
the author of the Moj'te might be a " Thomas Malorie, miles " whem he 
had found mentioned in a document of the eighth year of Edward IV, 
but concerning whom he had no information except the single fact fur- 
nished by the document itself. Mr. Williams's Thomas Malory and 
the writer's are probably one and the same person. 

^ The name is variously spelled, but was always trisyllabic. 

2 Cf. Caxton's Preface : " Many noble and dyuers gentylmen of thys 
royame of England camen and demaunded me many and oftymeswher- 



xvi INTR OD UC TION. 

His ancestors had been lords of Draii[^hton in Northamp- 
tonshire as early, apparently, as 1267-68, and certainly 
earlier than 1285 ; and the Malores had been persons of 
consequence in that county and in Leicestershire from the 
time of Henry H or Stephen. Sir Peter Malore, justice of 
the common pleas (i 292-1309) and one of the commission 
to try Sir William Wallace, was a brother of Sir Stephen 
Malore, the great-grandfather of our Sir Thomas, — that Sir 
Stephen whose marriage with Margaret Revell brought the 
Newbold estates ' into the family. Thomas's father, John 
Malory, was sheriff of Leicestershire and Warwickshire, 
Escheator, Knight of the Shire for Warwick in the Parlia- 
ment of 1 41 3, and held other offices of trust. It is not to 
be doubted, then, that Sir Thomas received a gentleman's 
education according to the ideas of the 15th century, which 
are not to be confounded with those of an earlier, illiterate 
period. That he should learn to read and write French, as 
well as to speak it, was a matter of course. 

Sir John Malory seems to have died in 12 Henry VI 
(1433 or 1434), and Sir- Thomas succeeded to the ancestral 
estates. We have, however, some information about Sir 
Thomas in his father's lifetime : when a young man he 
served in France, in the military retinue of Richard Beau- 
champ, Earl of Warwick, — a fact to which I shall soon 
revert. In the twenty-third year of Henry VI (1445) we 
find him a knight and sitting in Parliament for Warwick- 
shire. Some years later he appears to have made himself 
conspicuous on the Lancastrian side in the War of the Roses, 
for in 1468 "Thomas Malorie, miles," is excluded, along 
with '' Humphry Nevyll, miles," and several others, from 
the operation of a pardon issued by Edward IV. We know 

fore that I haue not do made & enprynte the noble hystorye of the 
saynt greal and of the moost renomed crysten kyng . . . kyng Arthur.'' 
^ In Warwickshire. 



INTRODUCTION. xvii 

nothing of the matter except this bare fact. Whether or not 
Malory subsequently obtained a special pardon cannot now 
be determined. If he did not we must suppose that he was 
relieved by the general amnesty of 1469, since, on his death 
in 1470, there seems to have been no question as to the 
inheritance of his estate. Malory died, as has been already 
noted. Mar. 14, 1470, and when Dugdale wrote his Wm'wick- 
shire (about 1656) lay " buryed under a marble in the 
Chappell of St. Francis at the Gray Friars, near Newgate in 
the Suburbs of London." He left a widow, Elizabeth Malory, 
who lived until 1480, and a grandson, Nicholas, about four 
years of age. This Nicholas was alive in 1511. He died 
without male heirs. 

The most interesting of these biographical fragments is 
the association of Sir Thomas Malory with Richard of War- 
wick. Dugdale states the fact in the following words : 
" Thomas ; who, in IL. H. ^. time, was of the retinue of Ric. 
Beaiichamp E. Warr. at the siege of Caleys, and served there 
with one lance and two archers ; receiving for his lance and 
I. archer xx. li. per an. and their dyet; and for the other 
archer, x. marks and no dyet." I can find no siege of 
Calais in Henry V's time. Perhaps the agreement was 
merely to serve at Calais. In that case the likeliest date 
for Malory's covenant is perhaps 141 5, when Warwick 
indented " to serve the King as Captain of Calais, until 
Febr. 3. Aji. 141 6 (4 He7i. 5). And to have with him 
in the time of Truce or Peace, for the safeguard thereof, 
Thirty Men at Arms, himself and three Knights accounted 
as part of that number ; Thirty Archers on Horsback, Two 
hundred Foot Soldiers, and Two hundred Archers, all of his 
own retinue. . . . And in time of War, he to have One 
hundred and forty Men on Horsbak," etc. 

In our uncertainty with regard to the year of this service 
we can draw no solid inference as to the date of Malory's 



xviii INTRODUCTION. 

birth. We have already seen that he was probably of age 
and over in 1433-34 (see p. xvi, above) : if he served with 
Beauchamp in 141 6, he was doubtless born as early as 1400, 
but not much earlier. This would make him seventy years 
old at the time of his death. 

The service of Malory with Richard of Warwick is, how- 
ever, peculiarly significant in view of the well-known char- 
acter of the earl. No better school for the future author of 
the Morte Darthur can be imagined than a personal acquaint- 
ance with that Englishman whom all Europe recognized as 
embodying the knightly ideal of the age. The Emperor 
Sigismund, we are informed on excellent authority, said to 
Henry V " that no prince Cristen for wisdom, norture, and 
manhode, hadde such another knyght as he had of therle 
Warrewyk; addyng therto that if al curtesye were lost, yet 
myght hit be founde ageyn in hym ; and so ever after by the 
emperours auctorite he was called the Fadre of Curteisy." ^ 

The history of Warwick's life, as set down by John Rous, 
chantry priest and antiquary, and almost a contemporary of 
the great earl, reads like a roman d'^aveiitiwe. One exploit 
in particular might almost have been taken out of the Morte 
Darthur itself.^ '' Erie Richard," we are told, ". . . heryng 
of a greet gaderyng in Fraunce, inasmoche as he was cap- 
teyn of Caleys he hied him thidre hastely, and was there 
worthely received ; and when that he herd that the gaderyng 
in Fraunce was appoynted to come to Caleys, he cast in his 
mynde to do sume newe poynt of chevalry ; wheruppon," 
under the several names of "the grene knyght," " Chevaler 
Vert," and '' Chevaler Attendant," he sent three challenges 

1 John Rous, Life of Richard Earl of Warwick., as printed from MS. 
Cotton. Julius E. IV, by Strutt, Horda Angel-cynnan, 1775-76, ii, 125, 
126. Rous died Jan. 1492; Beauchamp, May 31, 1439. 

2 For similar incidents in romance, see Ward, Catalogue of Romances, 
i, 733 ff., with which cf. Malory's Morte Darthur, P.k. vii, chs. xxviii, 
xxix, Sommer, i, 257 ff. 



INTRODUCTION. xix 

to the French king's court. "And anone other 3 Frenche 
knyghtes received them, and graunted their felowes to mete 
at day and place assigned." On the first day, "the xii day 
of Christmasse, in a lawnde called the Park Hedge of 
Gynes," Earl Richard unhorsed the first of the French 
knights. Next day he came to the field in another armor 
and defeated the second French knight, "and so with the 
victory, and hymself unknown rode to his pavilion agayn, 
and sent to this blank knyght Sir Hugh Lawney, a good 
courser." On the third day the earl "came in face opyn 
. . . and said like as he hadde his owne persone performed 
the two dayes afore, so with Goddes grace he wolde the third, 
then ran he to the Chevaler name[d] Sir Colard Fymes, and 
every stroke he bare hym bakwards to his hors bakke ; and 
then the Frenchmen said he was bounde to the sadyll, wher- 
for he alighted down from his horse, and forthwith stept up 
into his sadyll ageyn, and so with worshipe rode to his 
pavilion, and sent to Sir Colard a good courser, and fested 
all the people ; . . . and rode to Calys with great wor- 
shipe " (Strutt, Horda, ii, 124, 125). 

This romantic adventure cannot be dated with any cer- 
tainty. The days are settled by the text of Rous : they are 
January 6, 7, and 8 (Twelfth-Day and the two days follow- 
ing), but the yea?' is not easily fixed. By a process of elimi- 
nation we may arrive at the date 141 6 or 141 7, either of 
which may be right. One likes to imagine Thomas Malory 
as serving in Warwick's retinue on this occasion, and I know 
of nothing to forbid our indulging so agreeable a fancy. 

It may, I think, be safely asserted that we have before 
us a Sir Thomas Malory who, so far as one can see, fulfills 
all the conditions required of a claimant for the honor of 
having written the Morte Darthur. There is absolutely no 
contestant, and until such a contestant appears, it is not 
unreasonable to insist op the claims of this Sir Thomas. 



XX ■ INTRODUCTION, 

III. 

On the 3TSt of July, 1485, 'M.zXoxy^ s Morte Da^'thur yiV2iS 
issued from the press of William Caxton at Westminster. 
At the very time of its appearance England was in a turmoil 
over a threatened change of rulers. Three weeks later, on 
the 2 2d of August, Richard III fell on Bosworth Field and 
was succeeded by Henry of Lancaster. The settlement 
of the crown and the long peace that ensued were doubtless 
of no small importance in giving opportunity for the growth 
of the reading habit and for the great development of litera- 
ture in the following century. 

The year 1485 was a busy one for Caxton, He had 
already been seven years at Westminster, and had printed 
there not less than forty-eight books, some of them very 
extensive. He had published as early as 1478 such books 
as Chaucer's Ca^tterbury Tales and Lydgate's Temple of 
Glas. In 1 48 1 appeared his edition of The History of 
Godfrey of Boulogne ; in 1483, Gower's Coufessio Ainantis 
and The Golde7i Legend (Caxton's own translation) ; and in 
1484, Chaucer's Troylus a7id Cresside. Other books of con- 
siderable size and importance also kept his press active 
during the same period. For the year 1485 we have four 
books, the first of which is not dated : The Life of Saint 
Winifred, translated by Caxton ; Malory's Morte Darthtir 
(July 31) ; The Life of Charles the Grete, translated by Cax- 
ton, and published December i ; The Knight Paris and the 
Fair Vienne, translated by Caxton, and published December 
19. Caxton finished his translation of The Life of Charles 
the Grete on the i8th of June, six weeks before he had 
completed the printing of the Morte Darthur. The trans- 
lating and the printing must therefore have been for a con- 
siderable part of the time going on together. As in the 
preceding years, so in 1485, Caxton aimed to publish chiefly 



INTRODUCTION. xxi 

entertaining literature. Even some of the religious works 
in the list are quite as amusing as they are instructive. 
Romances and poems doubtless sold best, and, as they 
most interested him, he published them in preference to 
nore solid works. 

Caxton's own words in two of his Prefaces show clearly 
what pleasure he took in his own work : " Now lete us 
thenne remembre what hystoryes ben wreton of Cristen men, 
of whom ther be many wreton. But in especial, as for the 
best and worthyest, I fynde fyrst the gloryous, most excellent 
in his tyme, and fyrst founder of the Round Table, Kyng 
Arthur, kyng of the Brytons, that tyme regnyng in this 
royamme, of whos retenue were many noble kynges, prynces, 
lordes, and knyghtes, of which the noblest were knyghtes of 
the Round Table, of whos actes and historyes there be large 
volumes, and bookes grete plenty and many. O blessed 
Lord, when I remembre the grete and many volumes 
of Seynt Graal, Ghalehot, & Launcelotte de Lake, Gawayn, 
Perceval, Lyonel, and Tristram, and many other, of whom 
were over longe to reherce, and also to me unknowen ! But 
thystorye of the sayd Arthur is so gloryous and shynyng, 
that he is stalled in the fyrst place of the moost noble, beste 
and worthyest of the Cristen men."^ 

" Thenne for as moche I late had fynysshed in enprynte 
the book of the noble & vyctorious kyng Arthur, fyrst of the 
thre moost noble & worthy of crysten kynges, and also tofore 
had reduced into englysshe the noble hystorye & lyf of 
Godefroy of boloyn kyng of Iherusalem, last of the said iij 
worthy, Somme persones of noble estate and degree haue 
desyred me to reduce thystorye and lyf of the noble and 
crysten prynce Charles the grete, kyng of fraunce & 
emperour of Rome, the second of the thre worthy, to thende 

1 Preface to Godeffroy of Boloyue (a.d. 1481), p. 2 (E. E. T. S., Extra 
Series Ixiv). 



xxii IN TROD UC TION. 

that thystoryes, actes, & lyues may be had in our maternal 
tongue, lyke as they be in latyn or in frensshe." ^ 

The Morte Darthur is the fiftieth book in the fist of 
Caxton's publications at Westminster, and is the most pre- 
cious of all when measured by the price it has commanded 
at book sales. ^ It is also one of the largest of his under- 
takings, for of the more than eighteen thousand pages which 
he printed, the Morte Darthu?' contains 86 1. Like all the 
other books that issued from Caxton's press, this received 
his editorial supervision. He supplied the Preface and the 
Table of Contents, divided the narrative into books, prob- 
ably revised to some extent the orthography, and, not 
impossibly, tried to amend the copy where it was imperfect. 
Yet to what extent Caxton really changed Malory's text, 
whether the author and the printer ever met, whether Malory 
entirely finished certain parts of his work, whether he had 
imperfect French manuscripts, or whether Caxton cut out 
what seemed superfluous, or whether a part of Malory's 
translation may have been lost in the fifteen years that 
elapsed between the conclusion of the translation and the 
publishing, — these and scores of questions we must meet 
with a confession of our ignorance. 

1 Charles the Crete, A.D. 1485, p. 2 (E. E. T. S.). 

2 Some inaccuracy has crept into the accounts of the recent sales of 
the unique copy of the Morte Darthjcr. For instance, in the Diet, of 
Nat. Biog., ix, 389, we read : " The highest price paid for a Caxton is 
.£1950. This sum was given by Mr. Bernard Quaritch, in behalf of a 
Chicago merchant, at Sotheby's sale rooms, on 6 May, 1885, for the 
unique copy of Malory's ' King Arthur,' in the Osterley Park 
Library." 

The price was £1950 in addition to the agent's commission. The 
book was not bought for a Chicago merchant, but by Mr. Norton Q. 
Pope of Brooklyn for his wife's library. The Pope collection, contain- 
ing the Morte Darthur, was purchased in 1S96 by Messrs. Dodd, Mead, 
& Co. of New York, and by them sold to Mr. Robert Hoe of that 
city. The particulars as to the price have not been made public. 



INTR OD UC TION. 



XXlll 



The printing was tolerably well done for the 15 th century, 
and, if we consider the possibility that the printers had here 
and there to follow bad copy, the general accuracy of the 
text is surprising. There is little probability that Malory 
saw the book in print.-^ If he did he must have left the 
details of the printing almost wholly to Caxton. 

In the six remaining years of Caxton's life he printed 
seventeen books, but he did not issue a second edition of 
the Morte Darthur. 

The list of editions^ of the Morte Darthur since Caxton 
is as follows : 



Black Letter. 
I. Caxton . . . . 1485, folio. 
1498, " 



2. W. de Worde 



3. W. de Worde . 1529, 

4. W. Copland . . 1557, 



5. Th. East . about 1585, " 

6. " « . " 1585, 4to. 



7. W. Stansby . . 1634, 



Roman Type. 

1. Hazelwood, 1S16. 3 vols. i2mo. 

2. Walker's British Classics, 18 16. 

2 vols. i2mo. 

3. R. Southey, 1817. 2 vols. 8vo. 

4. a. Th. Wright, 1856. 3 vols. 

8vo. 
b. , 1866. 3 vols. 2d ed. 

5. a. Sir E. Strachey, 1868. Globe 

ed.3 
b. , 1 891. Globe ed. 

6. H. Oskar Sommer, 1889, Text, 

vol. i, folio. 
, 1890. Introd., vol. ii, 

folio. 
, 189T, Studies on the 

Sources, vol. iii, folio. 



^ If the identification suggested at p. xv, above, is correct, Malory 
had been dead fifteen years when his book was published. 

2 My list follows Sommer's, with a few additions. 

For the details concerning the various editions and their relation to 
one another, the reader is referred to Sommer's edition, ii, 2-25, and 
Strachey's Introd., pp. xxxi-xxxvii. 

^ Strachey's is the most popular as well as the best of the modernized 
editions. The favorable reception given to it by the public is shown 



xxiv INTRODUCTION. 

The following editions are modernized or abridged or 
annotated or otherwise adapted to special classes of readers : 

The Story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Com- 
piled and arranged by J[ames] T[homas] K[nowles]. Being an 
abridgment of " Sir T. Malory's Collection of Legends of King 
Arthur." With illustrations by G. H. Thomas. London, 1862. 8°. 
Reprinted by F. Warne & Co., 1895. 

La Morte Darthur. The History of King Arthur. Compiled by T. 
Mallory. Abridged and revised by E. Conybeare. London, 1868. 8°. 

La Mort d'Arthur. Abridged from the work of Sir Thomas Malory. 
The old prose stories whence the " Idylls of the King " have been 
- taken by Alfred Tennyson. . . . Edited with an Introduction by 
B. M. Ranking. London, 1871. 8°. 

The Boy's King Arthur, being Sir T. Malory's History of the Round 
Table. Edited with an Introduction by S. Lanier. Illustrated by 
A. Kappes. London, 1880. 8°. 

Malory's History of King Arthur and the Quest of the Holy Grail 
[from the Morte d'Arthur]. Edited, with General Introduction to 
the " Camelot Series," by Ernest Rhys. London, 1886. i2mo. 
[The editor omits seven books relating to Sir Launcelot and Sir 
Tristram, and further modernizes and abridges the remainder.] 

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. A modernized 
version of the Morte Darthur, by Charles Morris. Philadelphia, 
1891. 3 vols. i2mo. 

Malory's Book of Marvellous Adventures, and other Books of the 
Morte d'Arthur. Edited by Ernest Rhys. London, 1892. i2mo 
(Scott Library). 

Malory's History of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. 
London and New York, 1893. i2mo (vol. xlix of Lubbock's " Hun- 
dred Best Books"). 

Le Morte Darthur of Sir T. Malory, with Introduction by Professor 
J. Rhys and illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley. London, 1893, 
1894. 2 vols. 4°. [The text is modernized, but is complete.] 

by the frequency with which it has been reprinted : " First Edition 
printed March, 1868; Reprinted with slight alterations August, 1868; 
Reprinted (Index added) 1869, 1871, 1876, 1879, 1882, 1884, 1886, 1889 
(Introduction rewritten), 1891." Globe ed., p. iv. 



INTR OD UC TION. xx V 

The Court of King Arthur. Stories from the Land of the Round 
Table, by Wm. Henry Frost. New York, 1896. i2mo. [A dilution 
of the Arthur stories for children.] 

Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. Selections, edited with Introduction, 
Notes, and Glossary ^ by A. T. Martin. London and New York, 
1897 [Macmillan's English Classics]. 

Malory's Morte Darthur,! edited by Israel Gollancz. London and New 
York, 1897 [The Temple Classics]. 



IV. 

Malory's purpose in the Morte Darthiir is sufficiently 
evident to one who runs through the Table of Contents. 
He evidently tried to bring together, as compactly as he 
could without sacrificing the beauty of the originals, those 
Arthurian stories which had best pleased him. The title 
is indeed misleading, and its insufficiency is felt by Caxton, 
who presents an excuse for it in his colophon to the book : 
" Thus endeth thys noble and loyous book entytled le morte 
Darthur / Notwythstandyng it treateth of the byrth / lyf / 
and actes of the sayd kyng Arthur / of his noble knyghtes 
of the rounde table / theyr meruayllous enquestes and aduen- 
tures / thachyeuyng of the sangreal / & in thende the dolor- 
ous deth & departyng out of thys world of them al." 

The aim of the author, then, was to furnish for English 
readers a compendium of the Arthurian stories, and to give 
in a rough chronological order the history of the life and 
times of Arthur, together with the chief exploits of his most 
famous knights. Some critics, in their enthusiasm for 
Malory's work, have fancied that the Morte Darthur 
deserves to be called an epic in prose. We may grant 
without hesitation that Malory has a vein of poetry, and 
that his feeling for style is exquisite. We may find some- 

1 These have appeared too late to be used at all in the preparation 
of the present volume. 



xxvi INTRODUCTION. 

what of the epic breadth of treatment in parts of the story. 
But the book as a whole lacks the unity and the continuity 
of an epic ; and we hardly gain in clearness of critical 
estimate by claiming for Malory what he would probably 
have been the first to disavow. If one wishes to hold that 
Malory wrote an epic in spite of himself, or chooses to dig- 
nify by the name of epic what is more exactly described as 
a collection of charming stories rather loosely tied together, 
there is no serious ground for a quarrel. 

How Malory would have succeeded if he had tried to 
connect the parts of his book more closely, and had subor- 
dinated the episodes to one great central conception, we can 
hardly venture to say. What success he would have had 
with verse is also an idle question ; but there is reason to 
fear that if he had attempted to versify the Mortc Darthur, 
he would have added one more to the list of now forp:otten 
books, of which the 15th century produced such an appalling 
number. 

Malory's apparently simple task was far more difficult 
than we sometimes think. If he had worked upon originals 
that agreed with one another or that had been brought 
together according to a consistent plan, he could have pro- 
ceeded mechanically to reduce their size by mere excision and 
then to translate what was left. But the French romances 
were not the work of a single author, and consequently they 
could not show unity of conception in delineation of character 
or agreement as to the relative importance of the various 
knights of the Round Table. The romances were produced 
in different periods and under different influences. Further- 
more, the original romances, when once written, were so 
freely handled by copyists who omitted and added material 
at will that the final versions which lay before Malory pre- 
sented contradictions not to be entirely overcome except by 
rewriting the whole according to a clearly conceived plan. 



INTRODUCTION. xxvii 

It is not surprising, therefore, that here and there in the 
Morte Darthur a knight who has been suitably buried should 
reappear somewhat later as though the experience had done 
him no harm. Malory's success in avoiding the pitfalls that 
lay in his path must be evident even to the casual reader ; 
but it can be fully realized only by one who compares the 
Morte Darthur with its sources. 

Malory's purpose in writing his great romance was some- 
what different from that of most of his predecessors who 
had attempted to tell Arthurian stories in English. For the 
most part, the earlier writers had contented themselves with 
translating or adapting a single French Arthurian romance 
or episode. From the beginning of the 13 th century this 
Arthurian literature had been steadily growing, until in the 
course of two centuries and a half it included large tracts of 
Arthurian story. That it was of very unequal merit and 
of varying degrees of originality is exactly what we might 
expect. We cannot easily characterize in general terms 
productions so diverse in character as Lajamon's Brut^ the 
Merlin in verse, the Merlin in prose, the Tristram in verse, 
the exquisite Sir Gawaiii and the Green Knight^ and the 
notable poems on the death of Arthur. This list is, of course, 
not complete ; but, even when it is supplemented by all of the 
minor pieces, it is far from including the immense volume 
of Arthurian romance. Moreover, none of the pieces in 
prose or verse, nor all of them together, gave a connected 
view of the legends as a whole. Each romancer or trans- 
lator presented an episode or group of episodes without 
caring much whether the separate stories could be harmo- 
nized. Then, too, the English versions were made at a time 
when the language was rapidly changing, and when dialectic 
differences threw real obstacles in the path of a reader. 
The fact that the versions were rare and scattered, and that 
the difficulty of communication presented a serious problem 



xxviii INTRODUCTION. 

in the 15th century and greatly hindered acquaintance with 
books in a remote district, must also be taken into account 
in our endeavor to estimate what may have influenced 
Malory in his undertaking. Furthermore, the Arthurian 
literature in French was far too extensive to allow a reader, 
unless very favorably situated, to get acquainted with any 
considerable part of it. The MSS. cost much money and 
were out of the reach of any but the favored few. Yet the 
Arthurian stories had been for generations an important 
factor in the education of a gentleman ; while, on the other 
hand, the earlier general familiarity of English gentlemen with 
French was daily becoming rarer, and a large number of 
those readers who would most appreciate the old stories 
could not read the original French versions. Malory had, 
then, many special incentives to encourage him in his work, 
and he could not well have had a fairer field in which to try 
his powers. 

Whatever may have influenced Malory, he produced a 
book which cannot safely be neglected by the student of 
mediaeval life and manners, to say nothing of the reader who 
is interested in the Morte Darthur on purely literary grounds. 
One can hardly understand the spirit of the Middle Ages 
without giving much attention, to the romances, and one can 
find no romance in English to compare with the Morte 
Darthur. Even though the life there depicted is neither 
English nor French, and though the narrative has little or 
no basis in reality, the picture which the romance presents 
has just enough resemblance to the real society to be highly 
suggestive. Of course the picture needs interpretation and 
modification, yet it presents in a vivid light the ideals of 
what we somewhat vaguely call chivalry, and is steeped in the 
spirit of the great feudal society. This spirit it was, we may 
well believe, that made the book^ poptrtftr in its own time, 
and this will doubtless win for it favor in centuries to come. 



INTRODUCTION. xxix 



V. 



We cannot properly estimate the originality of Malory's 
work without studying the materials that he used, and we 
ought therefore, if we had the space, to make a survey of 
the various forms of Arthurian literature^ existing at the 
time when Malory wrote, and also to consider the various 
theories concerning the origin of the romances. Yet the 
field thus opened is so vast, and the opinions on matters of 
detail are so divergent, that I can here do no more than 
indicate briefly what some of the problems are. 
J A glance at Caxton's Table of Contents to the Morte 
'Da7'thur suggests that the book is a composite of several 
different romances. A careful reading of the book itself 
proves that there is no vital connection between the stories 
about Merlin and Balin and Tristram and Launcelot. A 
slight study of the older French literature enables us to see 
that the Morte Darthur is but a small part of a vast cycle 
of Arthurian romances. These romances have a common 
tie in that they all introduce Arthur and the Round Table ; 
but many of them have so slight a connection that they 
require but little investigation to prove their independent 
origin. 

We cannot here consider the source and development of 
the various branches of Arthurian romance represented in the 
Morte Darthicr, and we must therefore leave untouched the 
origin of the Launcelot and Tristram stories, as well as 
the questions connected with the legend of the Grail. The 
primary question, and the one which has most occupied the 
students of Arthurian romance, relates to the legends con- 
nected with Arthur himself." 

1 The specific sources of the books chosen for these selections are 
pointed out in the brief introductions prefixed to the Notes on each 
book. Hence only such general remarks as apply to the work as a 
whole can find a place here. 



XXX INTRODUCTION. 

If in the investigation of the romances we consider chro- 
nology rather than geography, we greatly simplify the prob- 
lem. We can establish with tolerable certainty, except in a 
few cases, the time at which the leading features of the 
legends appear in literature. We know in general the 
literary source of a great part of the materials used in 
the romances. Moreover, the nucleus of the Arthurian 
stories is admitted to be Celtic. This is a fact of central 
importance. The sources of much of the later material 
incorporated with the older legends are, of course, to be 
sought in many widely separated regions. The accretions 
from classical and biblical legends, from Oriental tales, 
from confused recollections of historical events, from float- 
ing superstitions, and countless other sources, are immense. 
Above all, the chivalric setting of the romances, with the 
ever-recurring descriptions of feasts and love-making and 
tournaments and battles, affords the romancer endless 
opportunity to copy the life about him, and to use his 
imagination freely in supplying details. The most diffi- 
cult questions do not appear in the general study of this 
material, but rather in the attempt to determine, in detail, 
when, where, and by whom the French romances were put 
together, and, in particular, what is their relation to the 
Celtic sources. 

The progress of Celtic philology in the last twenty-five 

years has been rapid, and many conclusions once thought 

to be established have been abandoned. The entire mass 

of early material has been undergoing a critical sifting at 

the hands of Paris, Lot, Rhys, Phillimore, Zimmer, Foerster, 

Baist, and others. Their conclusions are, however, not 

J. 

entirely harmonious, particularly as regards the insular or 
the continental origin of portions of the Arthurian legend. 

Two Celtic theories are in the field : the one finds the 
origin of the Arthurian cycle in Great Britain, where the 



INTRODUCTION. xxxi 

hero of the legends is said to have lived ; the other 
theory urges the claims of Brittany. The foremost advocate 
of the insular origin is M. Gaston Paris, who presents his 
A^iews as follows: The Romans who occupied Great Britain 
never succeeded in completely assimilating the Celtic 
inhabitants. Hence, after the departure of the Roman 
legions, the Celts again asserted their supremacy. When in 
the course of the 5th century the Germanic invaders began 
to win a foothold in Britain, the Celts made a stubborn 
resistance. This period was the heroic age of the insular 
Britons, and it produced among them a national epic which 
absorbed early mythological and other elements, and, after 
undergoing constant modification, continued for centuries 
later. Moreover, a portion of the British population fied 
from the invading Saxons and crossed the Channel to 
Armorica, which was at that time almost uninhabited, and 
there founded a new Britain, where they preserved their 
language and customs.^ After a long and obstinate struggle 
a peace of about fifty years ensued. Then strife in England 
began anew, and at length resulted in the establishment of a 
permanent boundary between the Britons and the English. 
The history of the conflict is very obscure. The Old Eng- 
lish Chronicle is brief, and the British account of the matter, 
as given by Gildas,^ relates only to the first part of the 
struggle. In the Historia B?'itonu7fi of Nennius we find for 
the first time the hero Arthur named as victor over the 
Saxons in twelve battles. In the centuries that followed, 
Celtic Britain passed into deep obscurity, but its poetic 
activity remained. The Normans, on becoming acquainted 
with the Britons, were impressed by the number and the 
skill of the Welsh singers, by the excellence of their music, 

1 The evidence for an extensive early migration is questioned by 
some critics. 

2 Gildas makes no mention of Arthur. 



xxxii INTRODUCTION. 

and the abundance of their genealogical traditions. Already, 
among the Anglo-Saxons, in spite of the national antipathy, 
the Welsh singers had sung their lais for the entertainment 
of Anglo-Saxon hearers. But after the Norman Conquest 
these wandering singers found a still heartier welcome 
among the new masters of England, and soon made the 
themes of their songs familiar on both sides of the Channel. 
French writers rapidly caught up the material, and thus 
made possible the indefinite expansion of the original stock. 
Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regiim Britaniiiae used 
some of this old material and added to it much of his own 
invention. His work was translated by Wace (1155) and 
several others, and was thus incorporated into the growing 
French literature. Such, in brief, is the theory of M. 
Gaston Paris. ^ 

It is important to emphasize the fact that he derives most 
of the matiere de Bretagne from England and not from 
Armorica. The latter region, he admits, was doubtless 
acquainted with most of this material, but appears not to 
have been called upon to contribute from its store of legends 
till after the tales from across the Channel had become 
popular. This result was, moreover, a direct outcome of 
the establishment of the Normans in England.^ 

On the other hand, recognized students of Celtic literature, 
like Rhys and Zimmer and Foerster, strongly urge the 
claims of Armorica (Brittany). They object that there is 

1 I have followed in the main the exposition which M. Paris makes 
of his views in La Litt. fran^aise au Moyen Age, ch. iv ; Hist. litt. de 
la Irance, xxx, 1-19; Romania, x, 466-468; xii, ^y^. 

2 The theory of G. Paris is supported by F. Lot in the Rovia^tia for 
1895-96 (£tudes sur la Provenance du Cycle Arthurien). J. Loth 
in the Revue Celtique, xiii, 480 seq., takes issue with the sweeping criti- 
cisms of Zimmer, and holds that more stress must be laid upon the 
Welsh elements. In general agreement with M. Paris is M. d'Arbois 
de Juhainville in La Litt. Celtique, i, 42, 43. 



INTRODUCTION. xxxiii 

no evidence proving that the Welsh singers before the 
Norman Conquest used to entertain the Anglo-Saxons, or 
even the Normans, " at a time early enough for the purpose 
of M. Paris's argument." They urge that the 77iatiere de 
Bretagne, as it appears in the romances, is a product of 
Armorica rather than of Great Britain, and they make much 
of the conquest by the Normans in the loth century of the 
eastern part of Brittany, — a conquest which led to close 
relations between Norman and Armorican families. They 
insist upon the absence of evidence to show that the Welsh 
before the 12th century regarded Arthur as a romantic hero. 
They point out that the most characteristic feature of the 
romances — the Round Table — is not found in the early 
Welsh literature, but was inserted by Wace into his translation 
of Geoffrey. They maintain that the legend in Geoffrey 
(xii, 2), which tells of Arthur's being taken to Avalon to be 
healed of his wounds, is essentially Armorican rather than 
Welsh. These and other propositions are maintained with a 
vigor of argument and a mass of learning quite equal to 
what has yet appeared in favor of the theory of M. Gaston 
Paris. ^ One may go too far in admitting that the case for 
Brittany is entirely made out, but the advocates of the 
Welsh theory can hardly hope successfully to deny that 
many of the most important elements in the romances are 
Armorican rather than Welsh.^ 

^ They admit, of course, without hesitation, that in urging " that the 
full development of the Arthurian legend was the work of a compara- 
tively late period, no such remark is meant to apply to the materials of 
it. They must have always been there from time immemorial, wherever 
there was a Celt who spoke a Brythonic language, whether in Great 
Britain or in the Lesser Britain on the other side of the Channel." 
Rhys, Studies, p. 6. 

'^ The statement of the case against M. Paris may be found in Rhys's 
Studies^ pp. 374-376 ; in his Introd. to Malory's Morte Darthiir, pp. xiv- 
xvi ; in Zimmer's review of the Hist. litt. de la France, xxx, printed in 
Gbttingsche Gelehrte Aitzeigen for 1890, pp. 488-528, 785-832 ; in 



xxxiv INTRODUCTION. 

On the most important matter there is no controversy. 
The Celts on both sides of the Channel had traditions con- 
cerning Arthur, and hence neither Armorican nor Welshman 
can lay exclusive claim to the material at the time it began 
to be used by the romancers. Many traditions must have 
possessed common traits, for intercourse was frequent 
between Armorica and Celtic England. Some of these 
traditions would doubtless in time be partly forgotten on 
one side of the Channel, while preserved and fostered on 
the other side. The great outlines would be alike, but 
many important differences would be inevitable. If we 
assume that the traditions concerning Arthur have any 
historical basis, we must, of course, fix the home of the 
original Arthur in Great Britain.^ Furthermore, on purely 

Zimnier's articles in Zeitschrift fur fra^tz. SpTache und Lit., xii, 230 seq. 
(Bretonisclie Elementein der Arthursage des Gottfried von Monmouth) ; 
in xiii, i seq. (Beitrage zur Namenforschung in den altfranz. Arthur- 
epen) ; and in his Nennhis Vindicates, Berlin, 1893. (Reviewed by 
Thurneysen in Zacher's Zeitschrift filr detitsche Philologie, pp. xxviii, 80 
seq. Cf. also Piitz in Zeitschrift filr franz. Sprache iind Lit., xiv, 161 
seq. (Zur Gesch. der Entwicklung der Artursage) ; Foerster, Introd. 
to Erec und Enide, Halle, 1890. 

^ There is now little objection made to the historical existence of a 
British leader named Arthur, but care is taken to limit his exploits to 
the conflicts of the Britons with the Saxons and other invaders at the 
end of the 5th and the beginning of the 6th century. Cf. Zimnier, 
Nenfiius Vindicatus, p. 285; Rhys, Address before Mythological Sec- 
tion of Internat. Folk-Lore Cong., 1891, p. 158 ; Rhys, Celtic Britain, 
pp. 234-237 ; Rhys, Studies, ch. i (Arthur, Historical and Mythical) ; 
Rhys, Preface to Malory's Morte Darthur, pp. xxxv, xxxvi ; Nutt, 
Problems of Heroic Legend (Internat. Folk-Lore Cong., 1891), p. 119; 
Skene, Eour Ajicient Books of Wales, i, 226 ; Piitz, Zeitschrift fir franz. 
Sprache tuid Lit., xiv, 187-192; Thurneysen, Engl. Stud., xxii, 163-179 
(Wann sind die Germanen nach England gekommen ?), etc. 

Freeman, Norman Conquest, i, 138, makes the suggestive remark : 
" It is not unlikely that the conquest of Gaul by an Emperor who set 
forth from Britain may be the kernel of truth round which much of the 
mythical history of Arthur has gathered." 



INTRODUCTION. xxxv 

a priori grounds we may urge that the Armorican Britons 
would be unlikely to lay the scene of Arthur's exploits in 
Great Britain unless the traditions really originated there. 
On the other hand, the later development of the legends 
may perhaps have proceeded more vigorously in Brittany 
than in Great Britain itself, and hence have furnished the 
French romancers with an abundance of material at their 
very doors. 

We are not, then, driven to maintain that all the material 
in the form it assumes in the romances necessarily came in 
the 1 2th and 13th centuries from insular to continental 
Britain, though there is nothing improbable in the supposi- 
tion that some legends floated across the Channel after 
Arthurian stories began to be in demand. 

Just why Arthur and the Round Table furnished an 
especially engaging theme after the middle of the 12th 
century we cannot undertake here to inquire, but the imme- 
diate occasion was undoubtedly the publication of Geoffrey 
of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britaniiiae (1132-35) and 
Wace's translation of the same into French verse under the 
title of Li Romans de Brut (1155). This became the most 
popular of several French versions of Geoffrey's book. 
When the story had been thus introduced to the French 
public, the endless possibilities of the theme were quickly 
perceived. A great number of writers began to produce 
Arthurian romances ; at first, for the most part, in verse, V 
and then, as the reading habit grew, in a multitude of prose 
versions. Along with the original Arthurian romances came 
to be early associated a group of other romances not properly 
connected with Arthur at all. 

These prose romances afford an inviting field for critical 

1 Some critics are now disposed to date the prose versions in some 
cases earlier than the verse romances. This, however, can hardly be 
proved for the great majority of the prose versions. 



K 



xxxvi INTRODUCTION. 

investigation, since the authors, the dates, and the relations 
of the prose versions to the poetical versions, as well as the 
relations of the prose versions to one another, are largely 
undetermined.^ An early version was regarded as the 
rightful possession of any later copyist, who, as likely as 
not, was himself an author. Hence the romances are a 
patchwork of the most singular and complex character. The 
romance of Merlin, to take a single instance, is in the main 
alike in all the versions up to the coronation of Arthur. 
After this point it is continued by at least a half-dozen 
different writers, some of whom produced versions wholly 
unlike any of the others. One of these continuations, which 
now exists in but a single French MS.,^ furnished Malory a 
part of the material for the Morte Darthur. But even the 
most popular continuation, which has come down to us in a 
great number of MSS., is by no means free from interpola- 
tions and omissions. The general run of the story in the 
various MSS. is much the same, but the minor differences 
are countless. The variation in the spelling of proper 
names and in the lists of numerals can be accounted for by 
mere carelessness on the part of the scribe, but extensive 
omissions and additions indicate the would-be author as well 
as the copyist. 

A detailed account of the French Arthurian romances 
must be sought elsewhere.^ We have to notice, in a word, 

1 Cf. the remarks of G. Paris, Hist. litt. de la France, xxx, 2. 

^ The Huth MS. in London. 

^ See in general O. Paris, La Litt. fran^aise au Moyeii Age, ch. iv, and 
his account of the verse romances in Hist. litt. de la France, xxx, 1-270; 
Paulin Paris, Les Romans de la Table Ronde, 5 vols., Paris, 1868-77 
(gives detailed analysis of Le Saint Graal, Merlin, Lancelot dti Lac, and 
discussion of the sources) ; Dunlop's Hist, of Prose Fictioti, 2 vols., 
London, 1888 (revised by Henry Wilson) ; H. L. D. Ward, Catal. of 
Romances in the Dept. of MSS. in the British Museum, \, London, 1883. 
Maccallum, Tennyson\^ Idylls and Arthurian Story from the XVIth 



INTRODUCTION. xxxvii 

those which Malory used. These are (i) the Merlin^ already 
mentioned, (2) Lancelot^ (3) Tristan., (4) The Quest of the 
Holy Grail. Besides these we must assume, I think, the 
existence of French versions for those English poems (or 
at least for one of them) which parallel closely some of 
the material in the Morte Darthnr. The Lancelot, like the 
Merlin, brings in a vast mass of material drawn from the 
most varied sources. The Tristan is very loosely connected 
with the Arthurian cycle, and appears to have been swept 
into it because of the convenience of making renewed use 
of characters already famous for their association with 
Arthur. The story of the quest of the Grail is nothing but 
a subordinate part of the great cycle of the legends of the 
Holy Grail. In this cycle is a mass of legendary material 
with which the story of Arthur has properly nothing to do ; 
but the literary possibilities involved in supposing the holy 
vessel to be lost and to be sought for by knights of the 
Round Table were too alluring to be resisted. Hence, 
when the situation was clearly conceived by the romancers, 
they followed it out in all its consequences, and thus pro- 
duced one of the most striking romances of the Arthurian 
cycle. The most brilliant of the writers who treated the 
Grail legends was Chretien de Troyes, whose Fe?rez'al or 
Conte del Graal — a fragment of 10,601 verses, doubtless 
based upon an Anglo-Norman original — was continued by 
various writers until it included more than sixty thousand 
verses. The prose versions are also of enormous extent. 
We must not allow ourselves to enter further upon the 

Century, London, 1894. For other references, see Sommer, iii, 1-8; 
Romania, Zeitschrift fi'ir franz. Sprache unci Lit., etc. I have given 
some further references in the brief introductions prefixed to the differ- 
ent books of our selections. 

The most recent popular account is found in Saintsbury, The Flour- 
ishing of Romance and the Rise of Allegory, ch. iii (The Matter of 
Britain), New York, 1897. 



xxxviii INTRODUCTION. 

discussion of the French romances or their sources, but must 
turn to other questions.^ 

VI. 

After this brief study of the original materials of which 
the Morte Darthur is composed, we may well glance at the 
history of the book since its first publication and note the 
influence it has exerted upon later literature. There is some 
difficulty in tracing the influence of a great book like 
Malory's, for the suggestions that come from it may be so 
indirect that they cannot be followed. Yet the wonderful 
thing about the Morte Darthur is that, so far as we can 
follow it, we find it has been a perennial inspiration to poets, 
and that it has furnished the material, and even a part of 
the diction, of more than one exquisite poem. No other 
English book has called into being such a library of poetry 
as has the Morte DartJiur. The bulk of this poetry is work 
of the 19th century, but traces of Malory's influence are not 
lacking in earlier centuries. 

1 Sommer's account of the sources, omitting all detail, runs as fol- 
lows : Bks. i, ii, iii, iv are based upon some form of the Merlin story, 
which we can follow in various French MSS. Bk. v is a prose version 
of the English poem La Morte Arthure of Huchown (ed. Brock, E. E. 
T. S,), with slight additions from other sources. Bk. vi is based upon 
the French Lancelot. Bk. vii has not yet been traced to its source. 
Bks. viii, ix, x represent the French romance of Tristan^ with the excep- 
tion that chs. xxi-xxviii of Bk. x, telling of the adventures of Alysanader 
le Orphelyn and of the Great Tournament of Surluse, are taken from 
the French Prophecies of Merlin. Bks. xi-xvii are in the main from the 
Lancelot, though some chapters are doubtful. Bks. xiii-xvii follow the 
story of the quest of the Grail, included in the Lancelot. Bks. xviii-xxi 
present a more difificult problem than is afforded by the other books. 
I therefore refer the reader to the discussion of the sources in the intro- 
ductions to Bks. xviii and xxi of these selections, pp. 293-295, 305-310. 
The reservations which Sommer himself makes at various points may 
be found in his third volume, Studies on the Sources. 



INTRODUCTION, xxxix 

What sort of reception was given to Malory's book in his 
own century we do not precisely know, since we have no 
data concerning the size of the edition printed by Caxton 
and no contemporary allusion to it. Yet the fact that a 
second edition of so large a work was published within thir- 
teen years may be taken as evidence of public favor. The 
continued popularity of the Morte Darthur throughout the 
1 6th century is proved by the publication of four editions, 
and by the complaint of that sturdy old moralist Roger 
Ascham that people were reading the Morte Darthur when 
they might be better employed.^ 

When we consider with what infatuation aspiring scholars 
and the reading public in general greeted the newly dis- 

1 Ascham's remarks have been often quoted, but they are too impor- 
tant to be passed over with a mere reference. After severely condemn- 
ing the books and the morals of Italy, he goes on to say : " In our 
forefathers tyme, whan Papistrie, as a standyng poole, couered and 
ouerflowed all England, fewe bookes were read in our tong, sauyng cer- 
taine bookes Cheualrie, as they sayd, for pastime and pleasure, which, 
as some say, were made in Monasteries, by idle Monkes, or wanton 
Chanons : as one for example, Morte Arthw-e : the whole pleasure of 
which booke standeth in two speciall poyntes, in open mans slaughter, 
and bold bawdrye : In which booke those be counted the noblest 
Knightes that do kill most men without any quarrell, and commit fowl- 
est aduoulter[i]es by sutlest shiftes : as Sir Launcelot with the wife of 
kinj^ Arthicre his master : Syr Tristram with the wife of king Marke 
his vncle : Syr lanierocke with the wife of king Lote, that was his owne 
aunte. This is good stuffe, for wise men to laugh at, or honest men to 
take pleasure at. Yet I know, when Gods Bible was banished the 
Court, and Morte Arthure receiued into the Princes chamber. What 
toyes, the dayly reading of such a booke, may worke in the will of a 
yong ientleman or a yong mayde, that liueth welthily and idelie, wise 
men can iudge, and honest men do pitie. And yet ten Morte Arthures 
do not the tenth part so much harme, as one of these books, made in 
Italie and translated in England." The Scolemaster (1570), p. 80 
(Arber's reprint). Ascham had used some of the same phrases, yet 
without naming the Morte Darthur, in the preface to his Toxophilus, 
1545 (Arber's reprint), p. 19. 



xl INTRODUCTION. 

covered Latin and Greek classics in the period of the 
Revival of Learning, we may well be surprised that the 
Morte Darthur won favor while most of the other literature 
of the Middle Ages was being rapidly forgotten. In the 
early part of the century the versions of Artus de la Bretagne 
and of Huon of Bourdeaux by Lord Berners divided with 
Malory's book what interest was left for mediaeval literature, 
but they gradually lost their hold on the reading public, and 
seem to have been almost destitute of influence upon the 
later development of the literature. Malory indeed so far 
eclipsed his rivals that his is almost the only one of the 
early English Arthurian romances known even by name to 
the average modern reader. 

Mal'ory's popularity in the great transitional period of the 
1 6th century is certainly remarkable, but the influence of his 
book was not strong enough to allure many English poets to 
enthusiastic original work in the Arthurian cycle. ^ Most of 
the Arthurian literature of the i6th century is poor in quality 
and not remarkable for quantity. The single drama ^ on 
Arthur is hardly readable, and most of the other forms 
of literature touch the Arthurian cycle only incidentally. 
Writers seem to have felt that the old machinery of tourna- 
ments, and knights rescuing ladies, the killing of dragons, 
and the fulfillment of fantastic vows was worn out.^ Satire 

1 For Malory's influence on Hawes's Pastime of Pleasure, see Court- 
hope's Hist, of Eng. Poetry, i, 380 ; Sommer, ii, 15; and Warton's 
Hist, of Eng. Poetry, ed. Hazlitt, iii, 169-188. 

2 Thomas Hughes's Misfortunes of Artfmr (1587). This owes little 
or nothing to Malory. See analysis in Collier's Eng. Dram. Poetry 
(1879), ii' 428-432. Hathway's play on The Life and Death of Arthur 
King of England is mentioned in Henslow's Diary, Apr. 11, 12, 1598, 
but is not otherwise known. 

8 It is at least possible that the Morte Darthur suggested some of 
the characters that played a part in the festivities at Kenilworth in 
1575, only five years after Ascham's complaint (cf. p. xxix, above) that 



INTRODUCTION. xli 

and parody had begun to make the old conceptions ridicu- 
lous.^ The writers who represented the popular taste 
turned for themes to Spain and to Italy, to Greece and to 
Rome, and to less hackneyed subjects suggested by real or 
legendary national history. Attention was also drawn more 
and more to the absorbing questions of the Reformation. 
Little wonder is it, then, that the Morte Dai'thur and other 
romances were, as living forces in literature,^ simply crowded 
out. 

The great apparent exception is Spenser's Faerie Queene. 

the book was too much read. In The Princelye Pleasures at the Courte 
at Kenelwoorth . . . in the Yeare ijy^, Lond., 1576 (Reprinted, Lond., 
1821), we find (pp. 2, 3) verses recited by the " Ladie of the Lake," 
who had lived in the Lake "since the time of great King Arthure's 
reigne." On pp. 8-10 we learn that the Lady had been compelled to 
remain in the Lake by " Sir Bruse, sauns pittie, in revenge of his cosen 
Merlyne, the Prophet, whom for his inordinate lust she had inclosed in 
a Rocke." No such relationship is hinted at in the Moi-te Darthzir, and 
no exploit exactly like this is assigned to Breuse saunce pyte, who is, 
nevertheless, frequently mentioned. Breuse is credited with several 
villainous performances in the Morte Darthur, such as following a lady 
to slay her (p. 397, Sommer's ed.) and killing a lady's brother and keep- 
ing her at his own will {ibid., p. 407). He may, therefore, have seemed 
to be a suitable character to be pressed into such service as was desired at 
the festivities. Literal reproduction of the Arthurian legends was not 
desired, for novelty was the chief aim in the whole entertainment ; but 
the romantic motives and the names were as likely to have been sug- 
gested by the Morte Darthur as by any Arthurian literature that has 
come down to us. 

1 A marked instance of the spirit in which the old romances were 
regarded is seen in Beaumont and Fletcher's Knight of the Burning 
Pestle (1610), which was evidently suggested by Don Quixote (1605). 
Rabelais's burlesque of the extravagances of chivalry appeared as early 
as 1532. 

2 Robert Chester's King Arthur, printed in The Anuals of great 
Brittaine, London, 161 1 (ed. Grosart), pp. 34-80, shows considerable 
acquaintance with Malory's book, particularly in the address To the 
courteous Reader, p. 35, and in the first division of the poem. 



xlii INTRODUCTION. 

This does indeed borrow motives in great abundance from 
mediaeval chivalry and from Arthurian romance, but it con- 
tains only a few passages that suggest an acquaintance with 
Malory. We must believe that the Morte Darthur gave 
some inspiration to the poet, yet we find that the larger por- 
tion of the Arthurian material is drawn from Holinshed and 
from Hardyng.^ The Faerie Queene was born out of due 
time, and although it is the noblest poetic achievement of 
the 1 6th century, it is, so far as external structure goes, in 
the strictest sense artificial, a literary tour deforce. 

The 17th and i8th centuries were, as a whole, out of sym- 
pathy with the spirit of Arthurian romance. A single edition 
of the Morte Darthur (1634) supplied the demand of the 
reading public up to the year 18 16. We cannot say posi- 
tively that the book was disliked, but we may be sure that 
it was little read. Neither Cavaliers nor Puritans knew 
much about the Middle Ages, and they cared less. Here 
and there an antiquary or a poet delved into the literature 
of the pre- Reformation period, but the attention of the 
public, and even of men of letters, was given to other 
matters. The men who wrote society verse and scribbled 
indecent plays for the delight of Charles the Second's 
court had no interest in Arthur or Launcelot or Galahad. 
Milton ^ did indeed think of writing an Arthurian epic, and 
Dryden actually wrote an Arthurian opera, but they stood 
well-nigh alone. The epic was produced by the well-inten- 
tioned but long-winded Dr. Richard Blackmore, whose 
Prince Arthur^ published in 1695, actually ran through 

1 For a list of references to the passages in the Faerie Qtieene, where 
the Arthurian story principally appears, see Littledale's Essays 011 Tenny- 
son's Idylls of the King (London, 1893), p. 17. Spenser's chief sources 
for the poem as a whole were, of course, Ariosto and Tasso. 

2 For the passages in Milton's Latin poems in which he refers to 
Arthur, see Mansus, 11. 78-84, Epitaphiuni Damonis, 11. 162-168. 



INTRODUCTION. xliii 

several editions.^ No more convincing proof is needed of 
the difference in spirit between the age that produced 
Malory and the age that produced Blackmore. The sweet 
simplicity of the Morte Darthiir is replaced by an ambitious 
combination of hobbling verse and moralizing twaddle. The 
prosing doctor was an estimable man, but he should have 
kept his hands off an Arthurian epic. 

We cannot regard Blackmore's attempt and his tolerable 
vogue in his own day as evidence of Malory's popularity in 
the 17th and i8th centuries. There was no modernized 
edition of the Morte Darthur., and the prose of the 15th 
century, simple as it is in Malory's pages, doubtless presented 
just enough difficulty to repel readers who brought a languid 
interest to an old and partly forgotten book. The writers 
of the older period were too childishly simple to suit a hard- 
headed, matter-of-fact age such as the early i8th century. 
Naturally enough, then, the prevailing opinion concerning 
the older literature was that it was the product of a barbarous 
time and not worthy the attention of readers. 

The gradual change in taste which marked the close of 
the 1 8th, and the beginning of the 19th, century, placed the 
Middle Ages in a truer light, and even led to an overesti- 
mate of the value of their artistic and ethical ideals. But 
along with the extravagances of Romanticism, there was a 
quick appreciation of the essential beauty of the Age of 
Chivalry, and a desire to adapt what was best in it to the 
needs of modern life. Yet Malory appears to have had 
comparatively little to do with the development of the 
Romantic movement in the latter part of the i8th century. 
Several of the poems of unknown age in Percy's Reliqiies 
(1765), such as Ki?ig Arthur's Death, The Legend of King 
Arthur, King Ryeftce's Chaltefige, and Sir Lancelot du Lake, 

^ The original poem, in ten books, was followed in 1697 by King 
Arthur, in twelve books. 



xliv INTRODUCTION. 

make considerable use of the Morte Darthiir ; but others, 
such as The Boy and the Ma7itle, The Horn of King Arthur, 
The Gre?ie Kfiight, Carle of Carlile, and The Marriage of Sir 
Gawaine, are based upon material not found at all in Malory. 
Both Percy and Warton had a tolerable acquaintance with 
the Morte Darthur and its relation to other literature, but 
there is little evidence that many other 18th-century scholars 
troubled themselves with the book at first hand. 

The revival of interest in Malory during our own century 
is in marked contrast with the neglect of him in the 17th and 
early i8th centuries, and appears in many quarters. The 
publication of Southey's edition of Malory is a fact of great 
significance in the literary history of the last three genera- 
tions. Southey wrote the introduction, but left the text of 
Malory to shift for itself, — somewhat to the disadvantage 
of the text. Yet the importance of his edition is not to 
be measured by its accuracy or philological value. Its sig- 
nificance lies in the fact that it appeared just at the 
time when the rediscovery of the Middle Ages had prepared 
young poets to read it and to be filled with its spirit. The 
impulse which it gave to the writing of poems based directly 
upon it or upon material connected with the Arthurian cycle 
has lasted down to our own day. 

I shall not undertake in this rapid sketch to mention,^ 
much less to discuss, all the Arthurian poems that have 
appeared in our century. The proper treatment of the 
theme would require more detail than is possible here. A 
few of the best-known names may serve to indicate how 
deeply the Arthurian story has appealed to the poetic sense 
of our own time. 

1 An interesting evidence of the change of poetic temper is afforded 
by Bishop Heber's Morte Arthur, an unfinished piece full of romantic 
motives. Heber was familiar with Malory's book, but made slight use 
of it in his poem 



INTRODUCTION. xlv 

The English poet \yhose work is most popular in our gen- 
eration is Tennyson. The popular verdict would doubtless 
not hesitate to name as his most characteristic achievement 
The Idylls of the King. This group of poems is the most 
extensive in mass and the most attractive in theme of all his 
works. Other poems of his have more depth and equal 
beauty, but they have not appealed so strongly to that innate 
fondness for a story which characterizes the general reader. 

Of The Idylls of the King all but one are based upon 
Malory's Morte Daj'thur} The material is in some of the 
pieces treated very freely: The Last Tourna??ient, for example, 
is an expansion of a few hints suggested by Malory, but in 
many poems the borrowing extends to words and phrases, 
transferred with a slight change of order to the new setting. 
Tennyson does indeed transform the spirit of some of 
Malory's stories so that familiar acquaintances appear new 
and strange, but he retains enough of his original to indicate 
where he went for his inspiration. 

Not to be compared with Tennyson's Idylls in simplicity 
and beauty and spiritual power is Bulwer's King Arthur 
(1848). This has originality and epigrammatic smartness, 
and now and then some poetic power, but it lacks almost 
wholly a sympathetic feeling for the old romances, and serves 
mainly as a vehicle for the author's opinions on life and 
society. The author tells us that he conceived it " when he 
was in college; that is, between 1822 and 1825," but he did 

1 The relation of the Idylls to their sources is discussed in Littledale's 
Essays on Tennyson^ s Idylls ol the King, London, 1893 ; in Maccallum's 
Te7inyson''s Idylls of the King and Afthnrian Stojy fro?n the XVIth 
Century, New York, 1894 ; and in Jones's Growth of the Idylls of the 
King, Philadelphia, 1895. The Idyll of E^iid a7td 6^^rrtrm/ (now printed 
as two Idylls by making a separate poem of The Marriage of Geraint) 
is based upon the Mabinogion, a collection of ancient Welsh tales, 
published and translated by Lady Charlotte Guest, 3 vols., London, 
1849. 



xl vi INTR on UC TION. 

not carry his design into execution till a quarter of a century 
later. He also tells us in his Preface to what extent he used 
Malory: " I have but borrowed the names.^ . . . Preferring 
to invent for myself an entirely original story, I have taken 
from Sir Thomas Malory's compilation little more than the 
general adoption of chivalrous usages and manners, and 
those agencies for the marvellous which the chivalrous ro- 
mance naturally affords, the fairy genius and the enchanter." 

In Matthew Arnold's Tristram and Iseult (1852) we are 
brought once more into the realm of genuine poetry as 
opposed to versified rhetoric. This is the only poem in which 
Arnold attempts an Arthurian subject. He deals very freely 
with his material and only occasionally shows his acquaint- 
ance with Malory by an allusion pointing to the Morte 
Darthiir? The central motive, the death of Tristram, does 
not appear in Malory's Tristram fragment at all. 

The one English poet of the 19th century who might have 
given us a well-rounded Arthurian epic wrote only four short 
poems based on Arthurian material. William Morris as a 
young man was attracted by the Arthurian story, and, if 
Tennyson had not early occupied the field, might have been 
led to produce a long Arthurian poem. A less consummate 
master of technique than Tennyson, Morris had nevertheless 
an ease of movement and a power of conception hardly 
equalled by the older poet. The Idylls are exquisite, but 
they lack the vigor and the onward sweep of a great epic. 
We could well spare some of the tales in The Ea?'thly Para- 

1 Wordsworth did essentially the same thing in his short poem en- 
titled The Egyptian Maid ; oj- the Ro7naitce of the Water Lily (iSjo), of 
which he himself says in a prefatory note, that the names and persons 
are " borrowed from The History of the Renowned Prince Arthur and 
his Knights of the Round Table ; for the rest the Author is responsible." 

'^ It is even to be feared that Dunlop's Hist, of Fiction was Arnold's 
primary authority, and that his acquaintance with Malory, at least in 1852, 
was at second hand. See Arnold's own note at the end of the poem. 



INTRODUCTION. xlvii 

dise for an Arthurian poem worthy to stand beside Sigurd the 
Volsung. In none of his Arthurian poems does Morris dis- 
play his especial power as a narrator, but he could assuredly 
have achieved as great success in telling the tales of the 
Round Table as in his versions of the stories of ancient 
Greece. 

The four short Arthurian poems which Morris wrote are 
contained in the volume which he published in 1858 under 
the title The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poe??is. I'he 
other Arthurian poems are King Arthur s Tomb, Sir Gala- 
had, a Christ?nas Mystery, and The Chapel i?i Lyoness. None 
of these holds closely to Malory's story, though each shows 
at least a trace of his material. In The Defence of Guenevere, 
which some critics rank as the choicest of Morris's poems, 
the general story may have been suggested by the Morte 
Darthur, though other versions of the Launcelot story would 
have answered the purpose. Some of the leading features 
of this poem, such as Guenevere's monologue and the part 
played by Gauwaine, are not found at all in the Alorte 
Darthur. There is a suggestion now and then of Tennyson's 
early lyric manner, but there is a current of genuine poetry 
in these lines hardly surpassed by Tennyson himself. 

King Arthur's Tomb describes the last meeting of Launce- 
lot and Guenevere, but with a very free handling of the 
theme. The poet may have borrowed a hint from Malory's 
twenty-first book, but apart from a possible allusion or two 
he made no further use of Malory's material. 

Sir Galahad refers casually to Palomydes and the quest- 
ing beast; ^ to the ship,^ 

. . . where 
The spindles of King Solomon are laid 
And the sword that no man draweth without sin 
But if he be most pure. 

1 Cf. Morte Darthtir, p. 35 
-^ Cf. ibid., pp. 132, 133. 



xlviii INTRODUCTION. 

But the entire situation and the language of the soliloquy 
are unlike anything found in the Morte Darthur. 

The Chapel in Lyoness has Sir Ozana le cure Hardy as its 
central figure, and introduces also Sir Bors and Sir Galahad. 
In the Morte Darthur Sir Ozana plays no leading part, but 
he is merely mentioned along with other knights. 

Six years after the appearance of Morris's volume, that 
strange mystic Robert Stephen Hawker published ^ a poem 
on The Quest of the Sangraal, Chant the First. This naturally 
reflects more or less of Malory's version, but the poem as a 
whole is essentially a 19th-century creation and presents a 
conception far removed from that of the Morte Darthur. 
Hawker's poem preceded Tennyson's Holy Grail by six 
years, and doubtless influenced to some extent the laureate's 
work. Yet Tennyson's poem, though not altogether mediae- 
val, is so saturated with the spirit of the mediaeval conception 
that without seeming incongruity it borrows whole passages 
from Malory with little or no verbal change. 

The Arthurian story has attracted still another of the 
notable poets of our century. Swinburne has written two 
poems based upon material connected with the cycle of 
Arthurian romances. The first of these, Tristratn of Lyo7iesse 
(1882), is an elaborate retelling of the Tristram story, with 
here and there a touch that might have been suggested by 
Malory, but with a free use of other material, much of the 
detail of which is the creation of the poet's imagination. 
Nothing is more characteristic of its author than this some- 
what overripe production. Yet in this poem the reader, even 
though he may not feel all of the poet's delight in mere rich- 
ness of phrase and in the taste of forbidden fruit, must 
recognize a genuine work of art, the most remarkable version 
of the Tristram story that has thus far been produced. 

1 Written in 1863, printed (privately) at Exeter, 1864. Only the first 
Chant was published. 



INTRODUCTION. xlix 

Tennyson's Last Tournament is entirely different in temper 
and purpose, and includes but a fragment of the story. 
Arnold's Tristram and Isetilt confines itself to the closing 
scenes of Tristram's life, and presents a conception unlike 
that of Tennyson or of Swinburne. 

Swinburne's most recent work, The Tale of Balen (1896), 
follows closely the second book of Le Morte Darthur^ and 
yet breathes a spirit of high poetry. Swinburne is far truer 
to his original than Tennyson is in his Balin and Balan, and, 
in the opinion of many readers, will seem no less effectively 
than the laureate to have mastered the lost art of the old 
romancers, the art of telling a story objectively but with the 
closest sympathy. In tender grace and simplicity nothing 
that Swinburne has written surpasses The Tale of Balen. On 
the other hand, nothing better demonstrates the essentially 
poetic character of Malory's Morte Darthur than the fact 
that it can be turned with little change into the form of noble 
poetry.^ 

As we glance back through the literature we have exam- 
ined we find that nearly every side of the Arthurian story 
has been treated, in outhne at least, by 19th-century poets. 
We may admit that much of this poetry lacks the strenuous 
character of literature that deals with living problems rather 
than with the half-forgotten legends of a romantic age. Yet 
we cannot always be working on problems. We want at 
times to live in an ideal world, and to be soothed rather 
than stimulated. And this, I take it, is the essential office 
of the Arthurian poetry of our century. Other aims may be 

1 Nothing so important as the pieces we have noticed has appeared 
in recent years. Yet the most effective attempt to adapt to the stage 
the story of Arthur is J. Comyns Carr's King Arthur (1895). ^^^ 
scenes are all suggested by Malory's Morte Darthur. Sir Henry 
Irving and Miss Ellen Terry have played the parts of Arthur and 
Guinevere. 



1 INTRODUCTION. 

realized in some of the poems, but the primary purpose of 
the best of them is not didactic. 

How much of this mass of poetry is in one way or another 
due to Malory we have already seen. So often, indeed, is 
the original hint or the actual source to be found in the 
Morte Darthur that we may at least raise the question 
whether the actual preservation of the Arthurian story as a 
living force in modern English literature is not largely due 
to Malory. The Arthurian ballads in Percy's Reliques have 
been almost destitute of literary influence. The vast Arthu- 
rian literature of the Middle Ages was, till recently, buried 
in unpublished MSS., and the recollection of it had utterly 
perished from the minds of the people. Popular traditions 
about Arthur have lingered with singular tenacity in remote 
districts, yet these traditions have not had sufficient vitality 
or power of attraction to bring the poets to utilize them in 
verse. The transmission of the Arthurian story is literary 
rather than popular. The legends cannot grow except by 
intentional deviation from the inherited forms. And these 
forms will doubtless continue to be most familiar in the 
shape which Malory gave them in Le Morte Darthtir. 

VII. 

We have seen that Le Mof^fe Darthur has held a remark- 
able place among the notable books of the last four hundred 
years. We have yet to consider how it is to be ranked as a 
piece of literature, and whether its importance is more than 
merely historical. Criticisms of various sorts have been 
passed upon the book, some ignorant and captious, some 
unmeasured in enthusiasm. Those readers who dislike it 
call it a dry, inartistic compilation, based upon ill-chosen 
originals ; those who admire it call it a prose epic, the best 
romance in the language, a model of style, and one of the 



INTRODUCTION. H 

treasures of English literature. Evidently one who bases an 
opinion of the Morte Darthur on what is written about it is 
very much at the mercy of the critics. 

We may clear the ground at the outset by freely admitting 
that Malory's part is, in the main, that of a translator and 
adapter of French originals,^ which he abridged and other- 
wise shaped to his purpose. Our estimate of his originality 
is made somewhat more difficult by the fact that we do not 
know what MSS. he had before him, and whether they were 
mutilated or complete. Sommerhas made a laborious investi- 
gation of Malory's relation to his sources, and shown how 
largely he is dependent upon them. But even yet we have 
to face the possibility that gleanings in other MSS. still 
undiscovered would prove that some details now confidently 
claimed as Malory's invention are really due to his original.^ 

As was remarked in an earlier section, Malory's task 
looks to a modern reader much easier than it really was. 
The enormous mass of the Arthurian romances, doubtless 
greater in Malory's time than in our own, made anything 
like a comprehensive survey almost impossible. All the 
books were in MS., many of them difficult of access, if not 
inaccessible ; they differed widely in the versions they pre- 
sented, and were in many cases incomplete. A mere general 
acquaintance with the Arthurian cycle would have required 
years of time, and the mere translation of as large a book as 

1 If we could count Bk. vii as Malory's own composition, his origi- 
nality would have to be rated much higher than it commonly is. No 
source has yet been found. 

2 This, as is well known, is the result of the searching study of 
Chaucer within the last twenty-five years. This, too, was my own expe- 
rience in studying the French sources of the Middle-English prose 
romance of Merlin. In two cases, in particular, I had decided that the 
translator had inserted a considerable amount of matter of his own, but 
somewhat later I found in other MSS. the original of the supposed 
additions. 



lii INTR OD UC TION. 

the Morte Darthur^ even had there been no attempt to give 
it literary form, must have involved an expenditure of long- 
continued effort. That Malory now and then went wrong in 
his choice is not to be wondered at ; but it is gratuitous to 
assume that he deliberately rejected a good version for a 
bad one, and that he would not have taken the best if he 
could have got it.^ 

If we are tempted to think slightly of his work on the 
ground that it is a mere translation, we must remember that 
translation such as Malory's is exceedingly rare. Any one 
who imagines vigorous, idiomatic translation to be easy has 
evidently never attempted it. Malory is the peer of the 
greatest of the Elizabethan translators, and he enjoys the 
distinction of being yet read. How immeasurably he sur- 
passes the modern scholars who now and then attempt a 
version of a piece of Old French may be seen by any one 
who will take the trouble to make the comparison. Real 

1 A word on the Tristram fragment may not be out of place. Malory 
is sometimes blamed for not finishing his version of the Tristrafn. 
The story is developed through four books (viii, ix, x, xii), but it is not 
concluded in Bk. xii, and yet is not again taken up. There is indeed 
an artistic incompleteness in the unfinished work, but we cannot be sure 
that Malory is to blame. lie may not have had a complete copy of the 
French Tristan at hand ; he may have worked at the story as long as 
his original held out and then turned temporarily to another part of the 
work till he should be able to get the missing original. Caxton, as we 
know, divided the Morte Darthtir into books and chapters. He may 
have received the whole complete from Malory's hands, and for some 
reason have thrown out a portion of the Tristram story. Furthermore, 
we do not know in what chronological order Malory translated the 
various parts. He may have left the Tristram story till the last, and 
death may have overtaken him in the midst of his work. The entire 
lack of biographical detail makes easy an endless range of conjecture. 
In short, the same excuses that we may make for Chaucer for failing to 
complete the Canterbury Tales, or for Spenser for failing to complete 
the Faerie Queene, or for Macaulay for failing to complete the History 
of England, may possibly be made for Malory. 



INTRODUCTION. Hii 

translation, that is, a transfer, not only of sense, but of 
spirit,^ is quite as difficult as original composition. We 
may count on the fingers of one hand the English translators 
of prose before the year 1500 who deserve to be mentioned 
beside Malory. We naturally think first of Chaucer and 
Wyclif, the pseudo-Mandeville and Caxton, and of nameless 
writers like the translator of the prose Merlin. Single pas- 
sages doubtless occur in the work of all of these men 
worthy to be placed beside that of Malory. It is when 
taken in the mass that Malory's superiority is evident. 

But Malory was more than a mere translator : he realized 
that there was something to omit.^ Nearly all the other 
reproducers of French romances had slavishly followed 
every turn of the original. This is the method of the prose 
Merlin^ of Herry Lonelich's metrical Merlin and Holy Grail, 
and of scores of other works. If the original were Holy 
Scripture there could hardly be more anxiety to preserve the 
ipsissima verba. 

Omission is, in some cases, rather delicate work, too deli- 
cate even for Malory. And here, in the opinion of some 
critics, he mangles his material so badly as to make the 
original story at times almost unintelligible. Here and 
there Malory did bungle somewhat, if he really tried to 
reproduce one story and, in spite of himself, succeeded in 
telling quite another. This charge may be made to some 
extent against his treatment of the French prose Merlin. 
Yet there is in Malory's condensed version a lightness and 
rapidity of movement painfully lacking in part of the origi- 
nal, picturesque and interesting though much of that is. 

1 It must not be forgotten that the praise bestowed upon the English 
Bible as a piece of unequalled musical prose, is bestowed upon a 
translation. 

2 Sommer shows (iii, 6) that Malory's originals were about ten times 
as long as his condensed version. 



liv INTRODUCTION. 

The real question is this: What ought Malory to have 
done with the material at his disposal ? The answers will 
vary according to individual preference. The chief fault 
found with the Morte Darthur as an artistic work is that its 
artistic purpose is too timid. It lacks complete unity, and 
does not move with a steady, undeviating sweep from 
beginning to end.^ The episodes are too frequent and too 
long, and, though interesting, they have too little to do with 
the main current of the narrative. It is urged that Malory 
might have joined the whole more closely. Instead of mak- 
ing abrupt transitions from one part to another, and actually 
beginning some books, as though they were entirely inde- 
pendent, he might have produced a great Arthurian epic 
conceived as a whole, with due subordination of parts and a 
central motive sufficient to carry the story to a natural con- 
clusion. In other words, Malory ought to have done either 
more or less than he did : he ought to have used the French 
versions as crude material to be wrought into a new artistic 
creation, or else he ought to have proceeded more cautiously 
and have reproduced as exactly as possible the original 
stories. 

It is, however, by no means certain that the separate parts 

1 The story of Balin and Balan (Bk. ii) does not grow out of the 
book that precedes it. The story of Tristram calls for a violent transi- 
tion, and it is at best but a fragment. The tale of Beaumayns (Bk. vii) 
is exceedingly attractive, yet it might be omitted without any one's sus- 
pecting the loss. And so on throughout the book. 

Nothing, indeed, can well be more unlike the modern novel with its 
carefully interwoven plot, its well-grounded motives, its subtle analysis 
of character, than the Morte Darthur, with its simple story, its artless 
movement from one thing to another without any very sufficient reason, 
and its transparent characters, who, in any given situation, may always 
be expected to act in a particular fashion. Moreover, the story he e 
and there drags a little. A reader must have a well-developed appetiie 
for unimportant detail who can take in the entire description of \ 
mediaeval battle without wincing. 



-< 



INTRODUCTION. Iv 

would have been greatly improved by being made over into 
something new. The episodes are exquisite, and they have 
perhaps as much right to exist thus as have the separate 
poems in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and The Legend of 
Good Women, or in Longfellow's Tales of a Wayside Imi. 
Doubtless a little more oiling of the machinery would have 
been possible, and, to modern notions, desirable ; but there 
is at least a question whether a book constructed according 
to 19th-century ideals would have suited Malory's time better 
than the one he actually produced. 

If we turn from the Morte Darthur to the French origi- 
nals we see where the real difficulty lay. The primary 
defect of the French romances is a loosely constructed plot 
— or none at all — and an insufficiency of motive. All the 
characters are somewhat superficially conceived, and they 
do such strange and unnecessary things that orderly progres- 
sion in the narrative is impossible. The unexpected con- 
stantly happens. If, then, Malory was to follow his original 
with any fidelity, he could not avoid faults of construction 
inherent in the French romances. In the embarrassment 
of choice he decided to reduce to convenient proportions 
the romances most suitable for his purpose, and to translate 
his story instead of attempting to create it. The contradic- 
tions in his work are in part those of his originals, made 
somewhat more glaring here and there from the fact that he 
attempted to combine into one book material scattered 
through several independent romances. The original stories 
were not made to be fitted together. The surprising fact is 
that they are combined in the Morte Darthur as well as they 
are. 

If, then, the Morte Darthur falls short of the highest 
artistic excellence, in that it lacks unity, coherence, and pro- 
portion, it is nevertheless written in a style of singular 
charm and beauty, not indeed free from technical defects, 



Ivi INTR on UC TION. 

but remarkable for freshness and vigor and the power of 
engaging attention. This last quality I have more than 
once tested by reading passages aloud to hearers who had 
no previous acquaintance with early English literature, and 
invariably finding that Malory won an interested hearing 
where other mediaeval writers were languidly received. 

The technical defects in Malory's composition, judged by 
modern standards, are indeed obvious enough. His para- 
graphs are formless and are constructed on no discoverable 
principle, — even of length. Some of them hold closely to 
a single topic, but they are as likely as not to wander in 
several directions at once. Malory is, of course, in this 
matter no greater sinner than other early writers. Paragraph 
construction is a modern art, and Malory is hardly to be 
blamed for failing to do what nobody else thought of. More- 
over, narrative is not so easy to divide into paragraphs as 
writing of another sort. Possibly, too, Caxton or his printers 
made the divisions, which are surely as mechanical as if 
they had been made by accident. 

Malory's sentences are not entirely above criticism. Some 
are as halting and clumsy and disjointed as though they had 
followed every turn of expression in the original and had 
never been revised. Indeed, the fact that Caxton divided 
the work into books and chapters and passed the whole 
through the press as an editor makes it unlikely that Malory 
ever saw the printed pages. But Malory or somebody is 
apparently unable to decide exactly when a sentence should 
end. He ignores " regularity, uniformity, precision, bal- 
ance." He runs on through half a page, introducing new 
clauses with aiid and bolstering them up with, more clauses 
beginning with/^r.^ Modern punctuation helps the matter 
somewhat, but not altogether. 

1 Yet we cannot hold Malory responsible for all his ands andyi>rj. 
A glance at his originals reveals car and et in abundance. 



INTRODUCTION. Ivii 

Syntax, in the sense of subordination of parts, is scarcely 
known ; parataxis is the characteristic form. Now and then 
he writes a sentence that is a mere chaos of cross-purposes, 
defying all analysis. Like the early writers in the Old 
English Chronicle and the authors of the Icelandic sagas, 
he changes the construction ^ without warning, and turns 
from indirect discourse to direct and back again within the 
limits of a single sentence. Like careless writers of our own 
time, he introduces dependent clauses with that^ and before 
he gets to the end of his sentence repeats^ the word so as to 
make sure that the reader is following him. He is careless 
of his arrangement, of his emphasis, of his concords. His 
pronouns choose their antecedents by a process of natural 
selection.^ In short, he is now and then guilty of well-nigh 
all the sins that the grammarian bids us shun. 

1 The abrupt change from indirect discourse to direct is too common 
to require illustration. The following are good instances of Malory's 
broken constructions : " ' Sir,' sayd the knyght, ' hit befelle after the 
passion of our Lord Jhesu Crist xxxij yere, that Joseph of Armathye, 
the gentyl knyghte the whiche took doune oure Lord of the hooly 
crosse, att that tyme he departed from Jherusalem with a grete party 
of his kynred with hym.' " 99 11. 

" And this Galahad, the holy knyghte, the whiche foughte with the 
two knyghtes, the two knyghtes sygnefyen the two dedely synnes 
whiche were holy in this knyghte Melyas, and they myghte not with- 
stande yow, for ye are withoute dedely synne." 106 23. 

" Soo with this gentylwoman Sir Launcelot was a moneth and more. 
Yf ye wold aske how he lyved, he that fedde the peple of Israel with 
manna in deserte, soo was he fedde." 145 20. 

" And at the date of this letter was wryten but two houres and an 
half afore my dethe, wryten with myn owne hand, and soo subscrybed 
with parte of my hertes blood." 216 12. 

" And that nyght he made a dole, and al they that wold come had as 
moche flesshe, fysshe, wyn, and aale, and every man and woman had 
xij pens, come who wold." 229 20. 

2 This sort of repetition is common in the oldest English. 

^ The following passage is a fair specimen of what I mean : " So on 
a nyghte he [Launcelot] wente to playe hym by the water syde, for he 



Iviii INTRODUCTION. 

In all this Malory deserves no special reprobation. He 
shares the faults of the writers of his time. What makes 
his work notable is that notwithstanding these defects his 
style instantly impresses its charm upon the reader. Its 
very carelessness lends an added grace and beauty. It has 
an air of perfect breeding and courtly distinction and yet 
the elastic ease of polished conversation. Even the sen- 
tences that abound in faults of construction are as clear as 
a mountain brook. The musical quality of the phrases, 
which nevertheless generally avoid the rhythm of verse,^ is 
marvellous. Malory's style has the simplicity of genius; 
it is always perfectly adapted to its object, and so is per- 
fectly natural. It never strives for effect ; it has no forced 
antitheses, no mere smartness of phrase, no tricks of allit- 
eration and euphuistic affectation. In other words, it is an 
honest style, the transparent medium through which we see 
the writer's thought. 

In nothing does Malory's excellence so plainly appear as 
in the color and freshness of his diction. He proved that 

was somewhat wery of the shyp. And thenne he lystned and herd an 
hors come, and one rydynge upon hym. And whanne he cam nygh he 
semed a knyghte. And soo he lete hym passe, and wente there as the 
shyp was, and there he alyghte, and toke the sadel and the brydel and 
putte the hors from hym, and wente into the ship. And thenne Laun- 
celot dressid unto hym and said, ' Ye be welcome.' And he ansuerd 
and salewed hym ageyne, and asked hym, ' What is your name ? ' " 145 25. 

1 Malory's choice of diction seems, however, to have been half 
unconscious ; otherwise he would perhaps hardly have left such jingles 
as the following : 

" alle the estates were longe or day in the chirche for to praye." 22 2. 

" but at the last Egglame fledde, and els he had ben dede." 46 5. 

" he bete abak alle the knyghtes withoute. And thenne they within 
cam oute and chaced hem alle aboute." 122 2. 

" Soo upon a daye he hunted in a woode of his whiche lasted unto 
the see, and at the laste he lostehis houndes and his knyghtes." 129 20. 

" Ryghte soo the mayde made her redy." 182 :jo. 



INTRODUCTION. lix 

the homely phrase of the street or the camp or the hunting- 
field might be the most picturesque ^ instrument of literary 
expression. 

As might be expected from the fact that in his pages the 
expression is closely fitted to the thought, the proportion of 
native English words is unusually large.^ Yet Malory is no 

1 His picturesqueness of phrase might be illustrated without end. 
The specimens I cite are not more remarkable than scores of others : 

" Thenne they amended their barneys andryghted theire sheldes, and 
tooke newe sperys and sette hem on theire thyes, and stode stylle as 
hit had ben a plompe of wood." I, i6. 

" Thenne they hurtled to gyders as two wilde buUes rosshynge and 
lasshyng with their sheldes and swerdes, that somtyme they felle bothe 
over theyr noses." VI, 8. 

" Whan Sir Launcelot sawe this, as he hoved in a lytil leved woode, 
thenne he sayd unto Syre Lavayn, ' See, yonder is a company of good 
knyghtes, and they hold them to gyders as bores that were chauffed 
with dogges.' ' That is trouthe,' said Syre Lavayne." 172 28. 

" Thenne said Sir Lyonel, that was ware and wyse : ' My lord Syr 
Launcelot, I wyll gyve this counceylle, lete us kepe oure stronge walled 
townes untyl they have hongre and zo\^ and blowe on their nayles, and 
thenne lete us fresshely sette upon hym and shrede hem doune as shepe 
in a felde.' " XX, 19. 

" And they departed, but there was never so harde an herted man 
but he wold have wepte to see the dolour that they made, for there was 
laementacyon as they had be stungen wyth sperys, and many tymes they 
swouned." 232 14. 

2 Marsh {Origin and History of the Eng. Lan., pp. 483, 488) com- 
ments upon the small percentage of French words in Malory. In Bk. 
xxi, ch. V, he finds but four per cent. This he admits to be smaller 
than Malory's general average ; but he adds : " It would be difficult to 
find any author of later date than the middle of the 14th century whose 
vocabulary is so Teutonic as his." In a note (p. 483) he remarks: 
" The number of French words in Caxton's translations is large. In 
the second edition of the Game of the Chesse — believed to be the first 
book he printed in England — they are nearly three times as numerous, 
proportionately, as in the Morte d'Arthur printed by him, but trans- 
lated by Malorye ; and yet Malorye whose general diction is perhaps 
more purely Anglo-Saxon than that of any English writer, except the 



Ix INTRODUCTION. 

purist. He borrows French words without hesitation when 
he can make his expression more effective. Hence he very 
successfully avoids any appearance of bookishness. He is 
as natural as if he were talking to his friends. Nothing 
indicates the self-consciousness of a man who has decided to 
create a masterpiece — if he can. He acts like a plain man 
who has a plain task, — to reduce a set of French romances 
to portable form, and to suppress his own personality as 
much as possible. 

Yet Malory is no mere machine through which the French 
romances pass in order to become English. He is keenly 
alive to the beauty of the scenes he describes, and his words 
vibrate with the emotion he feels. He is perhaps at his 
best in passages that describe something high and holy. 
When the Grail sweeps through Arthur's hall amid cracking 
and crying of thunder, and every knight looks in dumb sur- 
prise at his fellow, when Launcelot bows before the altar 
where the Grail is kept and feels his body shot through with 
fire, when the dead Launcelot rests in the solemn choir of 
Joyous Gard and the lament breaks from the lips of his 
brother Ector, the expression rises to a poetic beauty not 

Wycliffite translators, for at least a century before his age — adopted 
from his original many words which appear for the first time in English 
in his pages." 

I have analyzed the diction of several chapters with the following 
results : 



^11. Al, JJCl 

" xii, ' 


LCllL (_»X 1 iCllV. 


IO+. 


" XV, ' 




8-I-. 


" xvi, ' 




7-- 


" xix, ' 




IO-I-. 


" XX, ' 




I2-F. 


*' XXV, ' 




I3+- 



'* xviii, 



All proper names were excluded from the count. Each word was 
counted whenever it occurred. All words found in the language before 
HOC A.D. were classed as native words. 



INTRODUCTION. Ixi 

surpassed in early English prose. In pathos Malory's 
exquisite tact never fails him. He chooses the simplest 
words, and suppresses all rhetoric and all impertinent reflec- 
tions. His story of Balin and Balan, of Elaine, of the death 
of Arthur, and of the wasting away of Guenever and Laun- 
celot is told so artlessly that we forget the writer and have 
no thought except for the mournful tale. 

The charm of mediaeval naivete Malory shares with other 
writers of the pre-Renaissance period. What is remarkable 
in his work is an individuality that can be felt, but hardly 
expressed in words. There is a personal note in the Morte 
Darthur, evident enough to the attentive reader, notwith- 
standing the fact that the writer never obtrudes his person- 
ality upon us. For this very reason Malory's style is forever 
lost to us. Our age is steeped in a different spirit. We 
think in different forms. Our childhood has gone, and we 
can never bring back the childlike grace that belongs to a 
departed age. 

Yet Malory shows no signs of decaying popularity. No 
more enthusiastic praise has been given in any century to 
the Morte Darthur than in our own. The book has out- 
lived a half-dozen literary fashions, and bids fair to survive 
as many more. As marking the high-water level of 15th- 
century prose, as containing the source of some of the 
recognized classics in our literature, as being filled with the 
life and spirit of a deeply interesting age, and pervaded with 
the more enduring qualities of our common humanity, the 
Morte Darthur can hardly fail to claim in years to come its 
circle of admiring readers. Students of literature will read 
it for its historic importance; the poets will continue to find 
in it the themes of verse ; and the general reader who goes 
to literature for rest and entertainment will not refuse to 
the Morte Darthur a place among the books of perennial 
interest. If all this be true, it must be admitted that the 



xii INTR OD UC TION. 

Morte Darthur holds a unique place. Exactly what is its 
relative rank among the great books of English prose, we 
need not be greatly concerned to know. Malory's Morte 
Darthur is assuredly one of the golden links that unite our 
age to his. If its beauty is lost upon a modern reader, there 
is little us^ in trying to force his admiration : if its beauty 
is felt, there is no need of further argument. 



Cajtou^a preface.' 

Thenne to precede forth in thys sayd book, whyche 
I dyrecte unto alle noble prynces, lordes and ladyes, 
gentylmen or gentylwymmen, that desyre to rede or here 
redde of the noble and joyous hystorye of the grete con- 
querour and excellent kyng, Kyng Arthur, somtyme kyng 5 
of thys noble royalme, thenne callyd Brytaygne ; I 
Wyllyam Caxton, symple person e, present thys book 
folowyng," whyche I have enprysed tenprynte ; and treat- 
eth of the noble actes, feates of armes of chyvalrye, 
prowesse, hardynesse, humanyte, love, curtosye, and 10 
veray gentylnesse, wyth many wonderful hystoryes and 
adventures. And for to understonde bryefly the contente 
of thys volume, I have devyded it in to xxj bookes, and 
every book chapytred, as here after shal by Goddes grace 
folowe. The fyrst book shal treate how Utherpendragon 15 
gate the noble conquerour kyng Arthur, and conteyneth 
xxviij chappytres. The second book treateth of Balyn 
the noble knyght, and conteyneth xix chapytres. The 
thyrd book treateth of the maryage of kyng Arthur to 
quene Guenever, wyth other maters, and conteyneth 20 
fyftene chappytres. The fourth book, how Merlyn was 
assotted, and of warre maad to kyng Arthur, and con- 
teyneth xxix chappytres. The fyfthe book treateth of 
the conqueste of Lucius themperour, and conteyneth xij 
chappytres. The syxthe book treateth of Syr Launcelot 25 
and Syr Lyonel, and mervayllous adventures, and con- 
teyneth xviij chapytres. The seventh book treateth of a 
noble knyght called Syr Gareth, and named by Syr Kaye 

^ The concluding paragraph. 



C AX TON'S PREFACE. 



Beaumayns, and conteyneth xxxvj chapytres. The eyght 
book treateth of the byrthe of Syr Trystram the noble 
knyght, and of hys actes, and conteyneth xlj chapytres. 
The ix book treateth of a knyght named by Syr Kaye le 
5 Cote male taylle, and also of Syr Trystram, and conteyn- 
eth xliiij chapytres. The x book treateth of Syr Trystram, 
and other mervayllous adventures, and conteyneth Ixxxviij 
chappytres. The xj book treateth of Syr Launcelot and 
Syr Galahad, and conteyneth xiiij chappytres. The xij 
10 book treateth of Syr Launcelot and his madnesse, and 
conteyneth xiiij chappytres. The xiij book treateth how 
Galahad came fyrst to kyng Arthurs courte, and the quest 
how the Sangreall was begonne, and conteyneth xx 
chapytres. The xiiij boook treateth of the queste of the 
15 Sangreal, and conteyneth x chapytres. The xv book 
treateth of Syr Launcelot, and conteyneth vj chapytres. 
The xvj book treateth of Syr Bors and Syr Lyonel his 
brother, and conteyneth xvij chapytres. The xvij book 
treateth of the Sangreal, and conteyneth xxiij chapytres. 
20 The xviij book treateth of Syr Launcelot and the quene, 
and conteyneth xxv chapytres. The xix book treateth of 
quene Guenever and Launcelot, and conteyneth xiij 
chapytres. The xx book treateth of the pyetous deth of 
Arthur, and conteyneth xxij chapytres. The xxj book 
25 treateth of his last departyng, and how Syr Launcelot 
came to revenge his dethe, and conteyneth xiij chapytres. 
The somme is xxj bookes, whyche conteyne the somme 
of V hondred and vij chapytres, as more playnly shal 
folowe herafter. 



Ube table or rubr^ssbe ot tbe contente ot 
cbapi^tres sbortl^ ot tbe tprst booF? ot 
ft^uG Hrtbur, 

Fyrst how Utherpendragon sente for the duke of 
Cornewayl and Igrayne his wyf, and of their departyng 
sodeynly ageyn. Ca. primo. [p. 15]. 

How Utherpendragon made warre on the duke of Corne- 
wayl, and how by the moyane of Merlyn he laye by the 5 
duchesse and gate Arthur. Capitulo ij. 

Of the byrthe of kyng Arthur, and of his nouryture, and 
of the deth of kyng Utherpendragon, and how Arthur 
was chosen kyng, and of wondres and mervaylles of 
a swerde taken out of a stone by the sayd Arthur. 10 
Capitulo iij, iiij, and v. 

How kyng Arthur pulled oute the swerde dyvers tymes. vj. 
How kyng Arthur was crowned, and how he made 
offycers. vij. 

How kyng Arthur helde in Wales at a Pentecost a grete 15 
feest, and what kynges and lordes came to his feste. viij. 
Of the fyrst warre that kyng Arthur had, and how he 
wanne the felde. Capitulo ix. 

How' Merlyn counceylled kyng Arthur to sende for kyng 
Ban and kyng Bors, and of theyr counceyl taken for 20 
the warre. x. 

Of a grete tornoye made by kynge Arthur and the ij 
kynges Ban and Bors, and how they wente over the see. 
Capitulo xj. 

How xj kynges gadred a grete boost ayenst kyng 25 
Arthur. xij. 

1 Chapters X to XVI inclusive, and part of Chapter XVII, are 
omitted from the selections. 



4 CAXTON'S TABLE OF 

Of a dreme of the kyng wyth the hondred knyghtes. xiij. 
How the xj kynges wyth theyr hoost fought ayenst 
Arthur and his hoost, and many grete feates of the 
warre. Capitulo xiiij. 

5 Yet of the same batayll. Capitulo xv. 

Yet more of the said batayl, and how it was ended by 
Merlyn. xvij. 

How kyng Arthur, kyng Ban, and kyng Bors rescowed 
kyng Leodegraunce, and other incydentes. xviij. 

10 How kyng Artliur rode to Garlyon, and of his dreme, and 
how he sawe the questyng beest. Capitulo xix. 

How kyng Pellynore took Arthurs hors and folowed the 
questyng beest, and how Merlyn mette wyth Arthur, xx. 
How Ulfyus apeched quene Igrayne, Arthurs moder, of 

15 treason, and how a knyght came and desyred to have the 
deth of hys mayster revengyd. Capitulo xxj. 

How Gryflet was made knyght and justed with a 
kny^//t. xxij. 

How xij knyghtes came from Rome and axed truage for 

20 thys londe of Arthur, and how Arthur faught wyth a 
knyght. xxiij. 

How Merlyn saved Arthurs lyf, and threwe an enchaunte- 
ment upon kyng Pellynore, and made hym to slepe. xxiiij. 
How Arthur by the meane of Merlyn gate Excalybur hys 

25 swerde of the Lady of the Lake. Capitulo xxv. 

How tydynges cam to Arthur that kyng Ryons had over- 
come xj kynges, and how he desyred Arthurs berde to 
purfyl his mantel. Capitulo ^ xxvij. 

How al the chyldren were sente fore that were borne on 

30 May Day, and how Mordred was saved. xxviij. 



CONTENTS. 



tTbe second booF?. 

Of a damoysel whyche came gyrde wyth a swerde, for 
to fynde a man of suche vertue to drawe it oute of the 
scabard. Ca. primo. 

How Balen, arayed lyke a poure knyght, pulled out 
the swerde, whyche afterward was cause of his deth. 5 
Capitulo ij- 

How the Lady of the Lake demaunded the kny^/^tes heed 
that had wonne the swerde, or the maydens hede. iij. 
How Merlyn tolde thadventure of this damoysel. 
Capitulo iiij- 10 

How Balyn was pursyewed by Syr Launceor, knyght of 
Irelonde, and how he justed and slewe hym. v. 

How a damoysel, whiche was love to Launceor, slewe 
hyr self for love, and how Balyn mette wyth his brother 
Balan. vj. 15 

How a dwarfe reprevyd Balyn for the deth of Launceor, 
and how kyng Marke of Cornewayl founde them, and 
maad a tombe over them. Capitulo vij. 

How Merlyn prophecyed that two the best knyghtes of 
the world shold fyght there, whyche were Syr Launcelot 20 
and Syr Trystram. Capitulo viij. 

How Balyn and his broder, by the counceyl of Merlyn, 
toke kyng Ryons and brought hym to kyng Arthur. ix. 
How kyng Arthur had a bataylle ayenst Nero and kyng 
Loth of Orkeney, and how kyng Loth was deceyved by 25 
Merlyn, and how xij kynges were slayne. Capitulo x. 
Of the entyerement of xij kynges, and of the prophecye 
of Merlyn how Balyn shold gyve the dolorous stroke, xj. 
How a sorouful kny^'-/?t cam tofore Arthur, and how 
Balyn fet hym, and how that knyght was slayn by a 30 
knyght invysyble. ^U- 



6 CAXTON'S TABLE OF 

How Balyn and the damoysel mette wyth a knyght 
whych was in lyke wyse slayn, and how the damoysel 
bledde for the custom of a castel. Capitulo xiij. 

Ho[w] Balyn mette wyth that knyght named Garlon at a 
5 feest, and there he slewe hym to have his blood to hele 
therwith the sone of his hoost. Capitulo xiiij. 

How Balyn fought wyth kyng Pelham, and how his swerde 
brake, and how he gate a spere wherewyth he smote the 
dolorous stroke. Capitulo xv. 

10 How Balyn was delyverd by Merlyn, and savyd a knyght 
that wold have slayn hym self for love. Capitulo xvj. 
How that knyght slewe his love and a knyght lyeng by 
hyr, and after how he slewe hym self wyth his owne 
swerde, and how Balyn rode toward a castel where he 

15 lost his lyf. Capitulo xvij. 

How Balyn mette wyth his brother Balen, and how eche 
of theym slewe other unknowen, tyl they were wounded 
to deth. xviij. 

How Merlyn buryed hem bothe in one to;;/be, and of 

20 Balyns swerd. Capitulo xix. 

1bere tolowen tbe cbapi^tres of tbe sttj \>oq>^. 

How at the Vygyle of the feste of Pentecoste entred in 
to the halle before kyng Arthur a damoysel, and desyred 
Syr Launcelot for to come and dubbe a knyght, and how 
he wente wyth hyr. Capitulo primo. 

25 How the letters were founde wryton in the Syege 
Peryllous, and of the mervayllous adventure of the 
swerde in a stone. ij. 

How Syr Gawayn assayed to drawe oute the swerde, and 
how an olde man brought in Galahad. Capitulo iij. 

30 How the olde man broght Galahad to the Syege Peryl- 
lous, and sette hym therin, and how al the knyghtes 
mervaylled. iiij. 



CONTENTS. 7 

How kyng Arthur shewed the stone hovyng on the water 
to Galahad, and how he drewe oute the swerde. v. 

How kyng Arthur had al the knyghtes to gyder for to 
juste in the medowe besyde Wynchester or they 
departed. vj. 5 

How the quene desyred to see Galahad ; and after al 
the knyghtes v/ere replenysshed wyth the holy Sangreal, 
and how all they avowed the enqueste of the same. 
Capitulo vij. 

How grete sorowe was made of the kyng and ladyes 10 
for the departyng of the knyghtes, and how they 
departed. viij. 

How Galahad gate hym a shelde, and how they spedde 
that presumed to take doun the sayd shelde. Capitulo ix. 
How Galahad departed with the shelde, and how 15 
kyng Enelake^ had receyved thys shelde of Joseph of 
Armathye. x. 

How Joseph made a crosse on the whyte shelde with 
his blode, and how Galahad was by a monke brought 
to a tombe. xj. 20 

Of the mervayle that Syr Galahad sawe and herde in the 
tombe, and how he made Melyas knyght. Capitulo xij. 
Of thadventure that Melyas had, and how Galahad 
revenged hym, and how Melyas was caryed in to an 
abbey. xiij. 25 

How Galahad departed, and how he was commaunded 
to goo to the Castel of Maydens to destroye the 
wycked custome, xiiij. 

How Syr Galahad faught wyth the knyghtes of the castel, 
and destroyed the wycked custome. Capitulo xv, 30 

How Syr Gawayn came to thabbey for to folowe Galahad, 
and how he was shryven to an heremyte. Capitulo xvj. 
How Syr Galahad mette with Syr Launcelot and with 

1 Read Evelake. 



8 C AX TON'S TABLE OF 

Syr Percyvale, and smote hem doun, and departed 
fro them. xvij. 

How Syr Launcelot, halfe slepyng and halfe wakyng, 
sawe a seek man borne in a lytter, and how he was heled 
5 by the Sangreal. Capitulo xviij. 

How a voys spake to Syr Launcelot, and how he 
fonde his hors and his helme borne awaye, and after 
wente a fote. xix. 

How Syr Launcelot was shryven, and what sorowe he 
lo made, and of good ensaumples whyche were shewed 
to hym. Ca. xx. 

1bere tolowen tbe cbapptres of tbe vo\\ booft* 

How Syr Galahad faught at a turnement, and how he 

was knowen of Syr Gawayn and of Syr Ector de Harris. 

Capitulo j. 

15 How Syr Galahad rode with a damoysel, and came to 

the shyp where as Syr Boors and Syr Percyvale were in. 

Capitulo ij. 

How Syr Galahad entryd in to the shyp, and of a 

fayr bedde therin, wyth other mervayllous thynges, 
20 and of a swerde. iij. 

Of the mervaylles of the swerde and of the scaubard. iiij. 

How kyng Pelles was smyton thorugh bothe thyes 

by cause he drewe the swerde, and other mervayllous 

hystoryes, v. 

25 How Salomon toke Davyds swerde by the counceyl of 

hys wyf, and of other maters mervayllous. Capitulo vj. 

A wonderful tale of kyng Salamon and his wyf. vij. 

How Galahad and hys felowes came to a castel, and how 

they were foughten wyth al, and how they slewe theyr 
30 adversaryes, and other maters. Capitulo viij. 

How the iij knyghtes wyth Percyvales syster came in to 



CONTENTS. 9 

the waste forest, and of an herte and iiij lyons, and 
other thynges. ix. 

How they were desyred of a strau;/ge custom, which 
they wolde not obeye, wherfore they faught and slewe 
many knyghtes. x. 5 

How Percyvales syster bledde a dysshe ful of blood for to 
hele a lady, wherfore she dyed ; and how that the body 
was put in a shyppe. Capitulo xj. 

How Galahad and Percyvale fonde in a castel many tombes 
of maydens that had bledde to dethe. Capitulo xij. 10 

How Syr Launcelot entred in to the shyppe where Syr 
Percyvales syster laye deed, and how he mette wyth Syr 
Galahad hys sone. Capitulo xiij. 

How a knyght brought to Syr Galahad an hors, and bad 
hym come from his fader Syr Launcelot. Capitulo xiiij. 15 
How Launcelot was tofore the dore of the chambre wherin 
the holy Sangreal was. Capitulo xv. 

How Syr Launcelot had layen xiiij dayes and as many 
nyghtes as a dede man, and other dyvers maters. 
Capitulo xvj. 20 

How Syr Launcelot retorned toward Logres, and of other 
adventures whyche he sawe in the waye. Capitulo xvij. 
How Galahad came to Kyng Mordrayns, and of other 
maters and adventures. Capitulo xviij. 

How Syr Percyvale and Syr Boors mette wyth Syr 25 
Galahad, and how they came to the castel of Carbonek, 
and other maters. xix. 

How Galahad and his felowes were fedde of the holy 
Sangreal, and how our Lord apperyd to them, and other 
thynges. xx. 30 

How Galahad enoynted wyth the blood of the spere the 
maymed kyng, and of other adventures. Capitulo xxj. 
How they were fedde wyth the Sangreal whyle they were in 
pryson, and how Galahad was made kyng. Capitulo xxij. 



lO C AX TON'S TABLE OF 

Of the sorowe that Percyvale and Boors made whan 
Galahad was dede, and of Percyvale how he dyed, and 
other maters. xxiij. 

1bere tolowen tbe cbap^tres of tbe vov\ 

Of the joye of kyng Arthur and the quene had of 
5 thachyevement of the Sangreal, and how Launcelot fyl to 
hys olde love ageyn. Capitulo primo. 

How the quene comaunded Syr Launcelot to avoyde the 
court, and of the sorowe that Launcelot made. Capitulo ij. 
How at a dyner that the quene made there was a knyght 

10 enpoysoned, whyche Syr Madoi* layed on the quene. iij. 
How Syr Mador appeched the quene of treason, and there 
was no knyght wold fyght for hyr at the fyrst tyme. iiij. 
How the quene requyred Syr Boors to fyght for hyr, and 
how he graunted upon condycyon, and how he warned 

15 Syr Launcelot therof. Capitulo v. 

How at the day Syr Boors made hym redy for to fyght 
for the quene, and whan he shold fy^//t how another 
dyscharged hym. vj. 

How Syr Launcelot fought ayenst Syr Mador for the 

20 quene, and how he overcame Syr Mador and dyscharged 
the quene. vij. 

How the trouthe was knowen by the Mayden of the Lake, 
and of dyvers other maters. Capitulo viij. 

How Syr Launcelot rode to Astolat, and receyved a 

25 sieve to here upon his helme at the requeste of a mayde. 
Capitulo ix. 

How the tornoye began at Wynchester, and what knyghtes 
were at the justes, and other thynges. Capitulo x. 

How Sir Launcelot and Syr Lavayn entred in the 

1 The first seven Chapters and part of Chapter VIII are omitted 
from the selections. 



CONTENTS. 11 

felde ayenst them of kyng Arthurs court, and how 
Launcelot was hurte. xj. 

How Syr Launcelot and Syr Lavayn departed oute of the 
felde, and in what jeopardye Launcelot was. Capitulo xij. 
How Launcelot was brought to an hermyte for to be helyd 5 
of his wounde, and of other maters. Capitulo xiij. 

How Syr Gawayn was lodged wyth the lord of Astolat, 
and there had knowlege that hit was Syr Launcelot that 
bare the rede sieve. Capitulo xiiij. 

Of the sorowe that Syr Boors had for the hurte of 10 
Launcelot, and of the angre that the quene had by cause 
Launcelot bare the sieve. Capitulo xv. 

How Syr Boors sought Launcelot and fonde hym in 
the hermytage, and of the lamentacion bytwene them. 
Capitulo xvj. 15 

How Syr Launcelot armed hym to assaye yf he myght 
bere armes, and how his wounds brest oute ageyn. 
Capitulo xvij. 

How Syr Boors retorned and tolde tydynges of Syr 
Launcelot, and of the tournoye, and to whome the prys 20 
was gyven. xviij. 

Of the grete lamentacyn of the fayr made of Astolat 
whan Launcelot shold departe, and how she dyed for 
his love. xix. 

How the corps of the mayde of Astolat arryved tofore 25 
kyng Arthur, and of the buryeng, and how Syr Launcelot 
offryd the masse peny. Capitulo xx. 

Of grete justes doon alle a Crystemasse and of a grete 
justes and tournoye ordeyned by kyng Arthur, and of Syr 
Launcelot. Capitulo xxj. 30 

How Launcelot after that he was hurt of a gentylwoman 
came to an hermyte, and of other maters. Capitulo xxij. 
How Syr Launcelot byhaved hym at the justes, and other 
men also. Capitulo xxiij. 



12 C AX TON'S TABLE OF 

How kyng Arthur mervaylled moche of the justyng 
in the felde, and how he rode and fonde Syr Launcelot. 
Capitulo xxiiij. 

How trewe love is lykened to sommer. Capitulo xxv. 

1bere tolowen tbe cbapptres o\ tbe i%S booft. 

5 How Syr Mordred presumed and toke on hym to be 
kyng of Englond, and wold have maryed the quene, his 
faders wyf. Ca. j. 

How after that kyng Arthur had tydynges he retorned and 
came to Dover, where Syr Mordred mette hym to lette his 

lo landyng, and of the deth of Syr Gawayn. Capitulo ij. 
How after Syr Gawayns ghoost apperyd to kynge 
Arthur, and warned hym that he shold not fyght that 
day. Capitulo iij. 

How by mysadventure of an adder the batayl began, where 

15 Mordred was slayn, and Arthur hurte to the deth. iiij. 
How kyng Arthur comanded to caste his swerd 
Excalybur in to the water, and how he was delyverd 
to ladyes in a barge. v. 

How Syr Bedwere fonde hym on the morne deed in 

20 an hermytage, and how he abode there wyth the 
hermyte. Capitulo vj. 

Of thoppynyon of somme men of the deth of kynge 
Arthur, and how quene Guenever made hir a nonne 
in Almesburye. vij. 

25 How whan Syr Launcelot herde of the deth of kyng 
Arthur and of Syr Gawayn, and other maters, came in 
to Englond. viij. 

How Syr Launcelot departed to seche the quene Guenever, 
and how he fonde hir at Almesburye. Capitulo ix. 

30 How Syr Launcelot came to thermytage where tharche- 
bysshop of Caunterburye was, and how he toke thabyte 
on hym. x. 



CONTENTS. 13 

How Syr Launcelot wente wyth his seven felowes to 
Amesburye, and fonde there quene Guenever deed, whom 
they brought to Glastynburye. Capitulo xj. 

How Syr Launcelot began to sekene, and after dyed, 
whos body was borne to Joyous Garde for to be buryed. 
Capitulo xij. 

How Syr Ector fonde Syr Launcelot hys brother dede, 
and how Constantyn reygned next after Arthur, and of 
the ende of thys book. Capitulo xiij. 

Bjpltcit tbe table* 



THE NOBLE AND JOYOUS BOOK ENTYTLED 

LE MORTE D ARTHUR 

NOTWYTHSTONDYNG IT TREATETH OF 
THE BYRTH / L YE / AND A C TES OF THE SA YD 
KYNG ARTHUR I OF HIS NOBLE ANYGHTES OF 
THE ROUNDE TABLE / THEYR MERUAYLLOUS. 
ENQUESTES AND ADUENTURES / THACHYEUYNG 
OF THE SANGREAL / &- /A' THENDE THE 
DOLOROUS DETH dr^ DEPARTYNG OUT OF THYS 
WORLD OF THEM AL / IVHICHE BOOK WAS 
REDUCED IN TO ENGLYSSHE BY 

SYR THOMAS MALORY KNYGHT 



Capttulum prtmum. 

Hit befel in the dayes of Uther-pendragon, when he 
was kynge of all Englond, and so regned, that there was 
a myg/ity duke in Cornewaill that helde warre ageynst 
hym long tyme, and the duke was called the duke of 
Tyntagil. And so by meanes kynge Uther send for this 5 
duk, chargyng hym to brynge his wyf with hym, for she 
was called a fair lady, and a passynge wyse, and her 
name was called Igrayne. So whan the duke and his 
wyf were comyn unto the kynge, by the meanes of grete 
lordes they were accorded bothe. The kynge lyked and 10 
loved this lady wel, and he made them grete chere out of 
mesure, and desyred to have lyen by her. But she was a 
passyng good woman, and wold not assente unto the 
kynge. And thenne she told the duke her husband and 
said, "I suppose that we were sente for that I shold be 15 
dishonoured. Wherfor, husband, I counceille yow that 
we departe from hens sodenly that we maye ryde all 
nyghte unto oure owne castell." And in lyke wyse as 
she saide so they departed, that neyther the kynge nor 
none of his counceill were ware of their departyng. Also 20 
soone as kyng Uther knewe of theire departyng soo 
sodenly, he was wonderly wrothe. Thenne he called to 
hym his pryvy counceille, and told them of the sodeyne 
departyng of the duke and his wyf. Thenne they avysed 
the kynge to send for the duke and his wyf by a grete 25 
charge : '' And yf he wille not come at your somo//s, 
thenne may ye do your best ; thenne have ye cause to 
make myghty werre upon hym." Soo that was done, and 
the messagers hadde their ansuers. And that was 



16 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book I. 

thys, shortly, that neyther he nor his wyf wold not 
come at hym. 

Thenne was the kyng wonderly wroth. And thenne 
the kyng sente hym playne word ageyne, and badde hym 

5 be redy and stuff e hym and garnysshe hym, for within xl 
dayes he wold fetche hym oute of the byggest castell that 
he hath. VVhanne the duke hadde thys warnynge, anone 
he wente and furnysshed and garnysshed two stronge 
castels of his, of the whiche the one hyght Tyntagil and 

ID the other castel \\^ghl Terrabyl. So his wyf dame Igrayne 
he putte in the castell of Tyntagil. And hym self he 
putte in the castel of Terrabyl, the whiche had many 
yssues and posternes oute. Thenne in alle haste came 
Uther with a grete boost, and leyd a syege aboute the 

15 castel of Terrabil. And ther he pyght many pavelyons, 
and there was grete warre made on bothe partyes, and 
moche peple slayne. Thenne for pure angre and for 
grete love of fayr Irayne the kyng Uther felle seke. So 
came to the kynge Uther Syre Ulfius, a noble knyght, and 

20 asked the kynge why he was seke. " 1 shall telle the," 
said the kynge. " I am seke for angre and for love of 
fayre Igrayne, that I may not be hool." "Wei, my lord," 
said Syre Ulfius, " I shal seke Merlyn, and he shalle do 
yow remedy that youre herte shalbe pleasyd." So Ulfius 

25 departed, and by adventure he mette Merlyn in a beggars 
aray, and ther Merlyn asked Ulfius whome he soughte; 
and he said he had lytyl ado to telle hym. "Well," saide 
Merlyn, " I knowe whome thou sekest, for thou sekest 
Merlyn ; therfore seke no ferther, for 1 am he, and yf 

30 kynge Uther wille wel rewarde me, and be sworne unto 
me to fulfille my desyre, that shall be his honour and 
profite more tha;/ myn, for I shalle cause hym to have 
alle his desyre." "Alle this wyll I undertake," said 
Ulfius, " that ther shalle be nothyng resonable but thow 



Chap. II.] THE BEGETTING OF ARTHUR. 17 

shalt have thy desyre." "Well," said Merlyn, "he shall 
have his entente and desyre. And therfore," saide 
Merlyn, " ryde on your wey, for I wille not be long 
behynde." 

Capitulum Secundum, 

Thenne Ulfius was glad, and rode on more than a 5 
paas tyll that he came to kynge Utherpendragon, and 
told hym he had met with Merlyn. '' Where is he ? " said 
the kyng. " Sir," said Ulfius, " he wille not dwelle lx)ng." 
Ther with al Ulfius was ware where Merlyn stood at the 
porche of the pavelions dore. And thenne Merlyn was 10 
bounde to come to the kynge. Whan kyng Uther sawe 
hym he said he was welcome. " Syr," said Merlyn, " I 
knowe al your hert every dele : so ye wil be sworn unto 
me, as ye be a true kynge enoynted, to fulfille my desyre, 
ye shal have your desyre." Thenne the kyng was sworne 15 
upon the iiij Evva^zgelistes. "Syre," said Merlyn, "this 
is my desyre : the first visghx thai ye shal lye by Igrayne 
ye shal gete a child on her, and whan that is borne that 
it shall be delyverd to me for to nourisshe there as I wille 
have it; for it shal be your worship and the childis 20 
availle, as mykel as the child is worth." "I wylle wel," 
said the kynge, " as thow wilt have it." " Now make you 
redy," said Merlyn ; " this nyght ye shalle lye with 
Igrayne in the castel of Tyntigayll, and ye shalle be lyke 
the duke her husband. Ulfyus shal be lyke Syre Brastias, 25 
a knyghte of the dukes. And I will be lyke a knyghtc 
that hyghte Syr Jordanus, a knyghte of the dukes. But 
wayte ye make not many questions with her nor her men, 
but saye ye are diseased, and soo hye yow to bedde ; and 
ryse not on the morne tyll I come to yow, for the castel 30 
of Tyntygaill is but x myle hens." Soo this was done as 
they devysed. 



18 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Rook I. 

But the duke of Tyntigail aspyed hou the kyng rode 
fro the syege of Tarabil, and therfor that nyghte he 
yssued oute of the castel at a posterne for to have dis- 
tressid the kynges hooste. And so thorowe his owne 
5 yssue the duke hym self was slayne or ever the kynge 
cam at the castel of Tyntigail. So after the deth of the 
duke kyng Uther lay with Igrayne more than thre houres 
after his deth, and begat on her that nyg^//;[t] ^ Arthur. 
And on day cam Merlyn o.'a.m to the kyng and bad hym 

10 make hym redy ; and so he kist the lady Igrayne and 
departed in all hast. But whan the lady herd telle of the 
duke her husba;/d, and by all record he was dede or ever 
kynge Uther came to her, thenne she merveilled who that 
myghte be that laye with her in lykenes of her lord ; so 

15 she mourned pryvely and held hir pees. Thenne alle the 
barons by one assent prayd the kynge of accord betwixe 
the lady Igrayne and hym. The kynge gaf hem leve, for 
fayne wold he have ben accorded with her. Soo the 
kyng put alle the trust in Ulfyus to entrete bitwene them ; 

20 so, by the entrete, at the last the kyng and she met to 
gyder. " Now wille we doo well," said Ulfyus ; ''our kyng 
is a lusty knyghte and wyveles, and my lady Igrayne is a 
passynge fair lady ; it were grete joye unto us all and hit 
myghte please the kynge to make her his quene." Unto 

25 that they all well accordyd and meved it to the kynge. 
And anone, lyke a lusty knyghte, he assentid therto with 
good wille, and so in alle haste they were maryed in a 
mornynge with grete myrthe and joye. 

And kynge Lott of Lowthean and of Orkenay thenne 

30 wedded Margawse that was Gaweyns moder. And k3mge 
Nentres of the land of Garlot wedded Elayne. Al this 
was done at the request of kynge Uther. And the thyrd 
syster, Morgan le Fey,^ was put to scole in a nonnery. 

1 Read >tyght. '^ Caxton's text has lefey. 



Chap. III.] THE BIRTH OF ARTHUR. 19 

And ther she lerned so moche that she was a grate clerke 
of nygromancye. And after she was wedded to kynge 
Uryens of the lond of Gore, that was Syre Ewayns le 
Blaunche Maynys fader. 

Capitulum terctum, 

Then^ve quene Igrayne waxid dayly gretter and gretter. 5 
So it befel after within half a yere, as kyng Uther lay by 
his quene, he asked hir by the feith she owghX. to hym, 
whos was the child within her body. Then;^e she sore 
abasshed to yeve ansuer. " Desmaye you not," said the 
kyng, " but telle me the trouthe, and I shall love you the 10 
better, by the feythe of my body." " Syre," saide she, " I 
shalle telle you the trouthe. The same nyghte that my 
lord was dede, the houre of his deth, as his kny^^/ztes 
record, ther came in to my castel of Tyntigaill a man lyke 
my lord in speche and in countenaunce, and two knyghtes 15 
with hym in lykenes of his two knyghtes Barcias and 
Jordans, and soo I went unto bed with hym as I owght to 
do with my lord ; and the same nyght, as I shal answer 
unto God, this child was begoten upon me." " That is 
trouthe," saide the kynge, " as ye say, for it was I my self 20 
that cam in the lykenesse, and therfor desmay you not, 
for I am fader to the child." And ther he told her alle 
the cause, how it was by Merlyns counceil. Thenne the 
quene made grete joye whan she knewe who was the 
fader of her child. Sone come Merlyn unto the kyng 25 
and said : " Syr ye must purvey yow for the nourisshyng 
of your child." " As thou wolt," said the kyng, '' be it." 
"Wei," said Merlyn, " I knowe a lord of yours in this land 
that is a passyng true man and a feithful, and he shal 
have the nourysshyng of your child, and his name is Sir 30 
Ector, and he is a lord of fair lyvelode in many partyes in 



20 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book I. 

Englond and Walys ; and this lord, Sir Ector, lete hym 
be sent for, for to come and speke with you, and desyre 
hym your self, as he loveth you, that he will put his owne 
child to nourisshynge to another woman, and that his wyf 
5 nourisshe yours. And whan the child is borne lete it be 
delyverd to me at yo^/der pryvy posterne uncrystned." 
So like as Merlyn devysed it was done. And whan Syre 
Ector was come he made fyau/zce to the kyng for to 
nourisshe the child lyke as the kynge desyred, and there 

10 the kyng graunted Syr Ector grete rewardys. Thenne 
when the lady was delyverd, the kynge commaunded ij 
knyghtes and ij ladyes to take the child bound in a cloth 
of gold, " and that ye delyver hym to what poure man ye 
mete at the posterne yate of the castel." So the child 

15 was delyverd unto Merlyn, and so he bare it forth unto 
Syre Ector, and made an holy man to crysten hym, and 
named hym Arthur ; and so Sir Ectors wyf nourysshed 
hym with her owne pappe. 

Thenne within two yeres kyng Uther felle seke of a 

20 grete maladye. And in the meane whyle hys enemyes 
usurpped upon hym, and dyd a grete bataylle upon his 
men, and slewe many of his peple. " Sir," said Merlyn, 
" ye may not lye so as ye doo, for ye must to the feld, 
though ye ryde on an hors lyttar ; for ye shall never have 

25 the better of your enemyes but yf your persone be there, 
and thenne shall ye have the vyctory." So it was done 
as Merlyn had devysed, and they caryed the kynge forth 
in an hors lyttar with a grete hooste towarde his enemyes. 
And at Saynt Albons ther mette with the kynge a grete 

,50 boost of the North. And that day Syre Ulfyus and Sir 
Bracias dyd grete dedes of armes, and kyng Uthers men 
overcome the Northeryn bataylle, and slewe many peple, 
and putt the remenaunt to flight. And thenne the kyng 
retorned unto London, and made grete joye of his vyctory. 



Chap. III.] DEATH OF KING UTHER. 21 

And the«ne he fyll passynge sore seke, so that thre dayes 
and thre nyghtes he was specheles ; wherfore alle the 
barons made grete sorow, and asked Merlyn what counceill 
were best. "There nys none other remedye," said Mer- 
lyn, " but God wil have his wille. But loke ye al, barons, 5 
be bifore kynge Uther to morne, and God and I shalle 
make hym to speke." So on the morne alle the barons 
with Merlyn came to fore the kyng. Then;2e Merlyn 
said aloud unto kyng Uther : " Syre, shall your sone 
Arthur be kyng after your dayes of this realme with all lo 
the appertenaunce ? " Thenne Utherpen dragon torned 
hym and said in herynge of them alle, " I gyve hym Gods 
blissing and myne, and byd hym pray for my soule, and 
righteuously and worshipfully that he clayme ^/?e croune 
upon forfeture of my blessyng." And therwith he yelde 15 
up the ghost. And thenne was he enterid as longed to a 
kyng. Wherfor the queue, fayre Igrayne, made grete 
sorowe, and alle the barons. 

Thenne stood the reame in grete jeopardy long whyle, 
for every lord that was myghty of men maade hym 20 
stronge, and many wende to have ben kyng. Thenne 
Merlyn wente to the archebisshop of Caunterbury, and 
counceilled hym for to sende for alle the lordes of the 
reame, and alle the gentilmen of armes, that they shold 
to London come by Cristmas upon payne of cursynge. 25 
And for this cause, thaX. Jh^^u, that was borne on that 
nyghte, that he wold of his grete mercy shewe some 
myracle, as he was come to be kynge of mank3mde, for 
to shewe somme myracle who shold be rightwys kynge of 
this reame. So the archebisshop by the advys of Merlyn 30 
send for alle the lordes and gentilmen of armes, that they 
shold come by Crystmasse even unto London. And 
many of hem made hem clene of her lyf, that her prayer 
myghte be the more acceptable unto God. Soo in the 



22 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book T. 

grettest chirch of IvOndon (whether it were PowHs or not 
the Frensshe booke maketh no mencyon) alle the estates 
were longe or day in the chirche for to praye. And whan 
matyns and the first masse was done, there was sene in 
5 the chircheyard aye?2st the hyghe aulter a grete stone" four 
square, lyke unto a marbel stone. And in myddes therof 
was lyke an anvylde of stele a foot on hyghe, and theryn 
stack a fayre swerd naked by the poynt, and letters there 
were wryten in gold aboute the swerd that saiden thus : 
10 " Who so pulleth oute this swerd of this stone and anvyld 
is rightwys kynge borne of all Enlond." Thenne the 
peple merveilled, and told it to the archebisshop. " I 
commande," said tharchebisshop, " that ye kepe yow 
within your chirche, and pray unto God still that no man 
15 touche the swerd tyll the hyghe masse be all done." So 
whan all masses were done all the lordes wente to beholde 
the stone and the swerd. And whan they sawe the 
scripture, som assayed, suche as wold have ben kyng. 
But none myght stere the swerd nor meve hit. " He is 
20 not here," said the archebisshop, '* that shall encheve the 
swerd, but doubte not God will make hym knowen. 
But this is my counceill," said the archebisshop, "that 
we lete purvey x kny^//tes, men of good fame, and they 
to kepe this swerd." So it was ordeyned,^ and the/?ne 
25 ther was made a crye, thaX every ma;/ shold assay that 
wold, for to Wynne the swerd. And upon Newe Yeersday 
the barons lete maake a justes and a tournement, that 
alle kny^V/tes that wold juste or tourneye there my^//t 
playe ; and all this was ordeyned for to kepe the lordes 
30 to gyders and the comyns, for the archebisshop trusted 
that God wold make hym knowe that shold wynne the 
swerd. So upon Newe Yeresday whan the servyce was 
done the barons rode unto the feld, some to juste, and 

^ Caxton's text has ordeydeyned. 



Chap. III.] THE SWORD IN THE STONE. 23 

som to torney, and so it happed that Syre Ector, that had 
grete lyvelodeaboute London, rode unto the justes, and 
with hym rode Syr Kaynus his sone and yong Arthur that 
was hys nourisshed broder ; and Syr Kay was made 
kny^/zt at Al-halowmas afore. So as they rode to th& '5 
justes ward Sir Kay lost his swerd, for he had lefte it at 
his faders lodgyng, and so he prayd yong Arthur for to 
ryde for his swerd. " I wyll wel," said Arthur, and rode 
fast after Me swerd; and whan he cam home the lady 
and al were out to see the joustyng. Thenne was Arthur 10 
wroth and saide to hym self, " I will ryde to the chircheyard 
and take the swerd with me that stycketh in the stone, 
for my broder Sir Kay shal not be without a swerd this 
day." So whan he cam to the chircheyard Sir Arthur 
■sXighX. and tayed his hors to the style, and so he wente to 15 
the tent, and found no kny^/?tes there, for they were atte 
justyng; and so he handled the swerd by the handels, 
and \\ghl\y and fiersly pulled it out of the stone, and took 
his hors and rode his way untyll he came to his broder 
Sir Kay, and delyverd hym the swerd. And as sone as 20 
Sir Kay saw the swerd he wist wel it was the swerd of 
the stone, and so he rode to his fader Syr Ector and said, 
" Sire, loo here is the swerd of the stone, wherfor I must 
be kyng of thys land." When Syre Ector beheld the 
swerd he retorned ageyne and cam to the chirche ; and 25 
there they ali^/^te al thre and wente in to the chirche. 
And anon he made Sir Kay swere upon a book how he 
came to that swerd. " Syr," said Sir Kay, " by my broder 
Arthur, for he brought it to me." " How gate ye this 
swerd .? " said Sir Ector to Arthur. " Sir, I will telle you : 30 
when I cam home for my broders swerd, I fond no body 
at home to delyver me his swerd. And so I thought my 
broder Syr Kay shold not be swerdles, and so I cam 
hyder egerly and pulled it out of the stone withoute ony 



24 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

payn." "Found ye ony kny§'/^tes about this swerd ? " 
seid Sir Ector. "Nay," said Arthur. "Now,*' said Sir 
Ector to Arthur, " I understa/^de ye must be kynge of 
this land." " Wherfore I," sayd Arthur, "and for what 
5 cause?" "Sire," saide Ector, "for God wille have hit 
soo ; for ther shold never man have drawen oute this 
swerde but he that shal be rightwys kyng of this land. 
Now lete me see whether ye can putte the swerd ther as 
it was, and pulle hit oute ageyne." " That is no maystry," 
10 said Arthur, and soo he put it in the stone. Wherwith 
alle Sir Ector assayed to pulle oute the swerd and faylled. 

Capitulum septum.' 

" Now assay," said Syre Ector unto Syre Kay. And 
anon he pulled at the swerd with alle his myghte, but it 
wold not be. " Now shal ye assay," said Syre Ector to 

15 Arthur. "I wyll wel," said Arthur, and pulled it out 
easily. And therwith alle Syre Ector knelyd doune to 
the erthe, and Syre Kay. " Alias," said Arthur, " myne 
own dere fader and broder, why knele ye to me ? " " Nay, 
nay, my lord Arthur, it is not so. I was never your fader 

20 nor of your blood, but I wote wel ye are of an h3^gher 
blood than I wende ye were." And thenne Syre Ector 
told hym all how he was bitaken hym for to nourisshe 
hym, and by whoos commandement, and by Merlyns 
delyverau^zce. Thenne Arthur made grete doole whan he 

25 understood that Syre Ector was not his fader. " Sir," 
said Ector unto Arthur, "woll ye be my good and 
gracious lord when ye are kyng ? " " Els were I to 

1 By a mistake in counting, this chapter is numbered in the 
original text sixth instead of fourth. The error is continued 
throughout the first book. In the table of contents, Chapter III 
is made to include Chapters IV and V. 



Chap. VI.] ARTHUR PULLS OUT THE SWORD. 25 

blame," said Arthur, "for ye are the man in the world 
that I am most be holdyng to, and my good lady and 
moder your wyf, that as wel as her owne hath fostred me 
and kepte. And yf ever hit be Goddes will that I be 
kynge, as ye say, ye shall desyre of me what I may doo, s 
and I shalle not faille yow : God forbede I shold faille 
yow." " Sir," said Sire Ector, " I will aske no more of 
yow but that ye wille make my sone your foster broder 
Syre Kay senceall of alle your landes." " That shalle be 
done," said Arthur, " and more, by the feith of my body, lo 
that never man shalle have that office but he whyle he 
and I lyve." 

There with all they wente unto the archebisshop, and 
told hym how the swerd was encheved, and by whome. 
And on Twelfth Day alle the barons cam thyder, and to 1 5 
assay to take the swerd who that wold assay. But there 
afore hem alle ther myghte none take it out but Arthur, 
wherfor ther were many lordes wroth, and saide it was 
grete shame unto them all and the reame to be over 
governyd with a boye of no hyghe blood borne. And so 20 
they fell oute at that tyme that it was put of tyll Candel- 
mas. And thenne alle the barons shold mete there 
ageyne, but alwey the x knyghtes were ordeyned to 
watche the swerd day and n^ghx. And so they sette a 
pavelione over the stone and Me swerd, and fyve alwayes 25 
watched. Soo at Candalmasse many moo grete lordes 
came thyder for to have wonne the swerde, but there 
myghte none prevaille. And right as Arthur dyd at 
Cristmasse he dyd at Candelmasse, and pulled oute the 
swerde easely, wherof the barons were sore agreved, and 30 
put it of in delay till the hyghe feste of Eester. And as 
Arthur sped afore, so dyd he at Eester ; yet there were 
some of the grete lordes had indignacion th-^t Arthur 
shold be kynge, and put it of in a delay tyll the feest of 



26 LE NORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

Pentecoste. Thenne the archebisshop of Caunterbury 
by Merlyns provydence lete purveye thenne of the best 
knyghtes that they myghte gete, and suche knyghtes as 
Utherpendragon loved best and moost trusted in his 
5 dayes. And suche knyghtes were put aboute Arthur as 
Syr Bawdewyn of Bretayn, Syre Kaynes, Syre Ulfyus, 
Syre Barsias. All these with many other were alweyes 
about Arthur day and nyghte till the feste of Pentecost. 

Capitulum septtmixm. 

And at the feste of Pentecost alle maner of men 

TO assayed to pulle at the swerde that wold assa3^ but none 
myghte prevaille but Arthur, and pulled it oute afore all 
the lordes and comyns that were there ; wherfore alle the 
comyns cryed at ones : " We wille have Arthur unto our 
kyng; we wille put hym nomore in delay, for we alle see 

15 that it is Goddes wille that he shalle be our kynge, and 
who that holdeth ageynst it we wille slee hym." And 
therwith all they knelyd at ones, both ryche and poure, 
and cryed Arthur mercy, by cause they had delayed hym 
soo longe. And Arthur foryaf hem, and took the swerd 

20 bitwene both his handes, and offred it upon the aulter 
where the archebisshop was, and so was he made knyghte 
of the best man that was there. And so anon was the 
coronacyon made, and ther was he sworne unto his lordes 
and the comyns for to be a true kyng, to stand with true 

25 justyce fro thens forth the dayes of this lyf. Also then;?e 
he made alle lordes that helde of the croune to come in, 
and to do servyce as they oughte to doo. And many 
complayntes were made unto Sir Arthur of grete wronges 
that were done syn the dethe of kyng Uther, of many 

30 londes that were bereved lordes, knyghtes, ladyes, and 
gentilmen. Wherfor kynge Arthur maade the londes to 
be yeven ageyne to them that oughte hem. 



Chap. VIII.] THE KINGS SCORN ARTHUR. 27 

Whanne this was done that the kyng had stabUsshed 
alle the countreyes aboute London, thenne he lete make 
Syr Kay sencial of Englond, and Sir Baudewyn of Bretayne 
was made constable, and Sir Ulfyus was made chamber- 
layn. And Sire Brastias was maade wardeyn to wayte s 
upon the Northe fro Trent forwardes, for it was that tyme 
tho. most party the kynges enemyes. But within fewe 
yeres after Arthur wan alle the North, Scotland, and alle 
that were under their obeissaunce. Also Walys, a parte 
of it, helde ayenst Arthur, but he overcam hem al as he lo 
dyd the remenaunt thurgh the noble prowesse of hym self 
and his knyghtes of the Round Table. 

Capttulum octavum* 

Thenne the kyng remeved in to Walys, and lete 
crye a grete feste, that it shold be holdyn at Pentecost 
after the incoronacion of hym at the cyte of Carlyon. 15 
Unto the fest come kyng Lott of Lowthean and of 
Orkeney with fyve C kny<§^/^tes with hym. Also ther 
come to the feste kynge Uryens of Gore with four 
C kny^/^tes with hym. Also ther come to that feeste 
kyng Nayntres of Garloth with seven C knyghtes 20 
with hym. Also ther came to the feest the kynge of 
Scotland with sixe honderd knyghtes with hym, and he 
was but a yong man. Also ther came to the feste a kyng 
that was called the kyng with the honderd knyghtes, but 
he and his men were passyng wel bisene at al poyntes. 25 
Also ther cam the kyng of Cardos with fyve honderd 
knyghtes. And kyng Arthur was glad of their comynge, 
for he wende that al the kynges and knyghtes had come 
for grete love and to have done hym worship at his feste, 
wherfor the kyng made grete joye, and sente the kynges 30 
and knyghtes grete presentes. But the kynges wold none 
receyve, but rebuked the messagers shamefully, and said 



28 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

they had no joye to rcceyve no yeftes of a berdles boye 
that was come of lowe blood, and sente hym word they 
wold none of his yeftes, but that they were come to gyve 
hym yeftes with hard swerdys betwixt the neck and the 
5 sholders. And therfore they came thyder, so they told to 
the messagers playnly, for it was grete shame to all them 
to see suche a boye to have a rule of soo noble a reaume 
as this land was. With this ansuer the messagers 
departed, and told to kyng Arthur this ansuer. Wherfor, 
lo by the advys of his barons, he took hym to a strong 
towre with v C good men with hym. And all the kynges 
afore said in a maner leyd a syege tofore hym, but kyng 
Arthur was well vytailled. 

And within xv dayes ther came Merlyn amonge hem in 

15 to the cyte of Carlyon. Thenne all the kynges were 

passyng gladde of Merlyn, and asked hym, " For what 

cause is that boye Arthur made your kynge ? " " Syres," 

said Merlyn, " I shalle telle yow the cause ; for he is kynge 

Utherpendragons sone borne in wedlok, goten on Igrayne, 

20 the dukes wyf of Tyntigail." " Thenne is he a bastard," 

they said al. " Nay," said Merlyn, *' after the deth of 

the duke more than thre houres was Arthur begoten, and 

xiij dayes after kyng Uther wedded Igrayne ; and therfor 

I preve hym he is no bastard. And who saith nay, he 

25 shal be kyng, and overcome alle his enemyes. And or 

he deye he shalle be long kynge of all Englond, and have 

under his obeyssaunce Walys, Yrland, and Scotland, and 

moo reames than I will now reherce." Some of the kynges 

had merveyl of Merlyns wordes, and demed well that it 

30 shold be as he said. And som of hem lough hym to 

scorne, as kyng Lot, and mo other called hym a wytche. 

But thenne were they accorded with Merlyn that kynge 

Arthur shold come oute and speke with the kynges, and 

to come sauf and to goo sauf, suche suraunce ther was 



Chap. IX.] BATTLE WITH THE KINGS. 29 

made. So Merlyn went unto kynge Arthur and told hym 
how he had done, and badde hym, " Fere not, but come 
oute boldly and speke with hem, and spare hem not, but 
ansuere them as their kynge and chyvetayn, for ye shal 
overcome hem all whether they wille or nylle." 5 

Capttulum \i. 

Thenne kynge Arthur came oute of his tour, and had 
under his gowne a jesseraunte of double maylle, and ther 
wente with hym the archebisshop of Caunterbury, and 
Syr Baudewyn of Bretayne, and Syr Kay, and Syre 
Brastias ; these were the men of moost worship that were 10 
with hym. And whan they were mette there was no 
mekenes, but stoute wordes on bothe sydes ; but alweyes 
kynge Arthur ansuerd them and said, he wold make them 
to bowe and he lyved. Wherfore they departed with 
wrath, and kynge Arthur badde kepe hem wel, and they 15 
bad the kynge kepe hym wel. Soo the kynge retorned 
hym to the toure ageyne, and armed hym and alle his 
kny«-/^tes. "What will ye do?" said Merlyn to the 
kynges ; " ye were better for to stynte, for ye shalle not 
here prevaille though ye were x so many." " Be we wel 20 
avysed to be aferd of a dreme reder } " said kyng Lot. 

With that Merlyn vanysshed aweye, and came to kynge 
Arthur, and bad hym set on hem fiersly ; and in the mene 
whyle there were thre honderd good men of the best that 
were with the kynges that wente streyghte unto kynge 25 
Arthur, and that comforted hym gretely. " Syr," said 
Merlyn to Arthur, " fyghte not with the swerde ye had by 
myracle, til that ye see ye go unto the wers ; thenne 
drawe it out and do your best." So forth with alle kynge 
Arthur sette upon hem in their lodgyng. And Syre 30 
Bawdewyn, Syre Kay, and Syr Brastias slewe on the right 
hand and on the lyfte hand that it was merveylle ; and 



30 LE MORTE D ARTHUR, [Book I. 

alweyes kynge Arthur on horsback leyd on with a swerd 
and dyd merveillous dedes of armes, that many of the 
kynges had grete joye of his dedes and hardynesse. 
Thenne kynge Lot brake out on the bak syde, and the 

5 kyng with the honderd knyghtes, and kyng Carados, and 
sette on Arthur fiersly behynde hym. With that Syre 
Arthur torned with his knyghtes, and smote behynd and 
before, and ever Sir Arthur was in the formest prees tyl 
his hors was slayne undernethe hym. And therwith kynge 

lo Lot smote doune kyng Arthur. With that his four knyghtes 
receyved hym and set hym an horsback. Then/ze he drewe 
his swerd ExcaUbur, but it was so bryght in his enemyes 
eyen that it gaf Hght lyke xxx torchys. And therwith 
he put hem on bak, and slewe moche peple. And thenne 

15 the comyns of Carlyon aroos with clubbis and stavys, and 
slewe many knyghtes ; but alle the kynges helde them to 
gyders with her knyghtes that were lefte on lyve, and so 
fled and departed. And Merlyn come unto Arthur, and 
counceilled hym to folowe hem no furthur. 

Capitulum j\nj, 

20 Thenne Merlyn took his leve of Arthur and of the ij 
kynges, for to go and see his mayster Bleyse that dwelde 
in Northumberland, and so he departed and cam to his 
maister, that was passyng glad of his comynge. And 
there he tolde how Arthur and the two kynges had sped 

25 at the grete batayll, and how it was ended, and told the 
names of every kyng and knyght of worship that was 
there. And soo Bleyse wrote the bataill word by word 
as Merlyn told hym, how it began, and by whome, and in 
lyke wyse how it was endyd, and who had the werre. All 

30 the batails that were done in Arthurs dayes Merlyn dyd 
his maister Bleyse do wryte. Also, he did do wryte all 
the batails that every worthy knyght dyd of Arthurs courte. 



Chap. XVII.] MERLIN AS A CHURL. 31 

After this Merlyn departed from his mayster and came 
to kynge Arthur, that was in the castel of Bedegrayne, 
that was one of the castels that stondyn in the forest of 
Sherewood. And Merlyn was so disguysed that kynge 
Arthur knewe hym not, for he was al be furred in black 5 
shepe skynnes, and a grete payre of bootes, and a bowe 
and arowes, in a russet gowne, and broughte wild gyse in 
his ha;2d, and it was on the morne after Candelmas Day, 
but kyng Arthur knewe hym not. " Syre," said Merlyn 
unto the kynge, " wil ye gyve me a yefte ? " " Wherfor," lo 
said kyng Arthur, *' shold I gyve the a yefte, chorle ? " 
" Sir," said Merlyn, " ye were better to gyve me a yefte 
that is not in your hand than to lese grete rychesse, for 
here, in the same place there the grete bataill was, is 
grete tresour hyd in the erthe." "Who told the so, 15 
chorle ? " said Arthur. " Merlyn told me so," said he. 
Thenne Ulfyus and Brastias knew hym wel ynough, and 
smyled. " Syre," said these two knyghtes, " it is Merlyn 
that so speketh unto yow." Thenne kyng Arthur was 
gretely abasshed and had merveyll of Merlyn, and so had 20 
kynge Ban and kynge Bors, and soo they had grete 
dysport at hym. 

Soo in the meane whyle there cam a damoysel that was 
an erlys doughter, his name was Sanam, and her name 
was Lyonors, a passynge fair damoysel, and so she cam 25 
thyder for to do homage as other lordes dyd after the 
grete bataill. And kyng Arthur sette his love gretely 
upon her and so dyd she upon hym, and the kyng had 
adoo with her, and gat on her a child, his name was 
Borre, that was after a good knyghte and of the Table 30 
Round. Thenne ther cam word that the kyng Ryence of 
Northen Walys maade grete werre on kynge Lodegreance 
of Camylyard, for the whiche thyng Arthur was wroth, for 
he loved hym wel and hated kyng Ryence, for he was 



32 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

alwey ageynst hym. So by ordenaunce of the thre kynges 
that were sente home unto Benwyck, alle they wold 
departe for drede of kynge Claudas, and Pharyaunce, and 
Antemes, and Grasians, and Lyonses Payarne with the 
5 leders of tho that shold kepe the kynges landys. 

Capttulum jvitj. 

And thenne kynge Arthur and kynge Ban and kyng 
Bors departed with her felauship, a xx M, and came 
within vj dayes in to the countrey of C[a]myUarde, and 
there rescowed kynge Lodegreaunce, and slewe ther 

10 moche people of kynge Ryence unto the nombre of x M 
men, and put hym to flyghte. And thenne had these thre 
kynges grete chere of kyng Lodegreaunce, that thanked 
them of their grete goodnesse that they wold revenge hym 
of his enemyes, and there hadde Arthur the fyrst syght of 

15 Gwenever, the kynges doughter of Camylyard, and ever 
after he loved her. After they were weddyd, as it telleth 
in the booke. Soo, brevely to make an ende, they took 
theyr leve to goo in to theyre owne countreyes, for kynge 
Claudas dyd grete destruction on their landes. Thenne 

20 said Arthur, "I wille goo with yow." "Nay," said the 
kynges, " ye shalle not at this tyme, for ye have moche to 
doo yet in these landes, therfore we wille departe, and 
with the grete goodes that we have goten in these landes 
by youre yeftes, we shalle wage good knyghtes and with- 

25 stande the kynge Claudas malyce ; for, by the grace of 
God, and we have nede we wille sende to yow for youre 
socour. And yf ye have nede, sende for us, and we wille 
not tary, by the feythe of our bodyes." " Hit shalle not," 
saide Merlyn, " nede that these two kynges come ageyne 

30 in the wey of werre. But I knowe wel kynge Arthur 
maye not be longe from yow, for within a yere or two ye 



Chap. XVIIL] PLANS OF THE KINGS. 33 

shalie have grete nede. And thenne shalle he revenge 
yovv on youre enemyes, as ye have done on his. For 
these xj kynges shal deye all in a day by the grete myghte 
and prowesse of armes of ij valyaunt knyghtes, as it 
telleth after ; her names ben Balyn le Saveage and Balan 5 
his broder, that ben merveillous good knyghtes as ben 
ony lyvyng. 

Now torne we to the xj kynges, that retorned unto a 
cyte that hyghte Sorhaute, the whiche cyte was within 
kynge Uryens, and ther they refresshed hem as wel as 10 
they myght, and made leches serche theyr woundys, and 
sorowed gretely for the dethe of her pepie. With that 
ther came a messager and told how ther was comen in to 
their landes people that were laules as wel as Sarasyns a 
xl M, " and have brent and slayne al the peple that they 1 5 
may come by withoute mercy, and have leyd syege on the 
castel of Wa/^disborow." "Alias! " sayd the xj kynges, 
"here is sorow upon sorou, and yf we had not warryd 
ageynst Arthur as we have done, he wold soone revenge 
us : as for kyng Lodegryaunce he loveth Arthur better 20 
than us, and as for kyng Ryence he hath ynough to doo 
with Lodegreans, for he hath leyd syege unto hym." Soo 
they consentyd to gyder to kepe alle the marches of 
Cornewayle, of Walys, and of the Northe. Soo fyrst they 
putte kynge Idres in the cyte of Nauntys in Brytayne 25 
with iiij thowsand men of armes, to watche bothe the 
water and the land. Also they put in the cyte of 
Wyndesan kynge Nauntres of Garlott with four thousand 
knyghtes, to watche both on water and on lond. Also 
they had of other men of werre moo than eyght thousand, 30 
for to fortyfye alle the fortresses in the marches of 
Cornewaylle. Also they put moo kny^/^tes in alle the 
marches of Walys and Scotland, with many good men of 
armes ; and soo they kepte hem to gyders the space of 



34 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

thre yere, and ever alyed hem with myghty kynges and 
dukes and lordes. And to them felle kynge Ryence of 
North Walys, the whiche was a myghty man of men, and 
Nero, that was a myghty man of men. And all this 
5 whyle they furnysshed hem and garnysshed hem of good 
men of armes and vytaille, and of alle maner of abylement 
that pretendith to the werre, to avenge hem for the 
bataille of Bedegrayne, as it telleth in the book of 
aventures folowynge. 

Capitulum jtj* 

10 The^ne after the departyng of kyng Ban and of kyng 
Bors, kynge Arthur rode unto Carlyon. And thyder cam 
to hym kyng Lots wyf of Orkeney, in maner of a message, 
but she was sente thyder to aspye the courte of kynge 
Arthur; and she cam rychely bisene with her four sones, 

15 Gawayn, Gaherys, Agravaynes, and Gareth, with many 
other knyghtes and ladyes ; for she was a possynge ^ fayr 
lady, wherfore the kynge cast grete love unto her, and 
desyred to lye by her. So they were agreed, and he 
begate upon her Mordred, and she was his syster on the 

20 moder syde Igrayne. So ther she rested her a moneth, 
and at the last departed. 

Thenne the kyng dremed a merveillous dreme wherof 
he was sore adrad. But al this tyme kyng Arthur knewe 
not that kyng Lots wyf was his syster. Thus was the 

25 dreme of Arthur : Hym thought ther was come in to this 
land gryffons and serpentes, and hym thoughte they 
brente and slough alle the peple in the la;/d. And 
thenne hym thoughte he faughte with hem, and they dyd 
hym passynge grete harme, and wounded hym ful sore, 

30 but at the last he slewe hem. 

Whanne the kynge awaked he was passynge hevy of 

- Read passynge ? 



Chap. XIX.] THE QUESTING BEAST. 35 

his dreme, and so to put it oute of thoughtes he made 
hym redy with many knyghtes to ryde on huntynge. As 
soone as he was in the forest the kynge sawe a grete hert 
afore hym. " This herte wille I chace," said kynge 
Arthur, and so he spored the hors and rode after longe. 5 
And so by fyne force ofte he was lyke to have smyten the 
herte, where as the kynge had chaced the herte soo long 
that his hors had loste hys brethe, and fylle doune dede. 
Thenne a yoman fette the kynge another hors. So the 
kyng sawe the herte enbusshed and his hors dede, he 10 
sette hym doune by a fontayne, and there he fell in grete 
thoughtes. And as he satte so hym thoughte he herd a 
noyse of houndes to the somme of xxx. And with that 
the kynge sawe comyng toward hym the straungest best 
that ever he sawe or herd of. So the best wente to the 15 
welle and drank, and the noyse was in the bestes bely 
lyke unto the questyng of xxx coupyl houndes, but alle 
the whyle the beest dranke there was no noyse in the 
bestes bely. And therwith the best departed with a grete 
noyse, wherof the kyng had grete merveyll. And so he 20 
was in a grete thoughte, and therwith he fell on slepe. 
Ryght so ther came a knyght a foote unto Arthur, and 
sayd, *' Knyght, full of thought and slepy, telle me yf thow 
sawest a straunge best passe this waye." " Suche one 
sawe I," said kynge Arthur, " that is past two myle : what 25 
wold ye with the best ? " said Arthur. " Syre, I have 
folowed that best long tyme, and kyld myne hors ; so 
wold God I had another to folowe my quest." Ry^>^te so 
came one with the kynges hors ; and whan the knyght 
sawe the hors he prayd the kyng to yeve hym the hors. 30 
" For I have folowed this quest this xij moneth, and other 
I shal encheve hym or blede of the best blood of my 
body." Pellinore that tyme kynge folowed the questynge 
best, and after his deth Sir Palamydes folowed hit. 



36 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 



Gapttulum jr» 

" Syr knyghte," said the kynge, " leve that quest and 
suffre me to have hit, and I wyll folowe it another xij 
moneth." "A, foole," said the knyghte unto Arthur, "it 
is in veyne thy desyre, for it shalle never ben encheved 
5 but by me, or my next kyn/' There with he sterte unto 
the kynges hors and mounted in to the sadel, and said, 
'' Gramercy, this hors is myn owne." "Wei," said the 
kynge, " thow mayst take myn hors by force, but and I 
my^/^te preve the whether thow were better on horsbak 

10 or I." " VVel," said the knyght, " seke me here whan 
thow wolt, and here nygh this wel thow shalt fynde me," 
and soo passyd on his weye. Thenne the kyng sat in a 
study, and bad his men fetche his hors as faste as ever 
they myghte. 

15 Ryght soo came by hym Merlyn lyke a child of xiiij 
yere of age, and salewed the kyng, and asked hym why 
he was so pensyf. " I may wel be pensyf," sayd the 
kynge, " for I have sene the merveyllest sy^^t that ever I 
sawe." "That knowe I wel," said Merlyn, "as wel as 

20 thy self, and of all thy thoughtes, but thow art but a foole 
to take thought, for it wylle not amend the. Also I 
knowe what thow arte, and who was thy fader, and of 
whome thow were begoten ; kynge Utherpendragon was 
thy fader, and begat the on Igrayne." "That is fals," 

25 said kyng Arthur, " how sholdest thou knowe it ? for thow 
arte not so old of yeres to knowe my fader." " Yes," 
sayd Merlyn, " I knowe it better than ye or ony man 
lyvynge." " I wille not bileve the," said Arthur, and was 
wroth with the child. 

30 Soo departed Merlyn and came ageyne in the lykenes 
of an old man of iiij score yere of age, wherof the kynge 



Chap. XX] MERLIN'S PREDICTION'S. 37 

was ryght glad, for he semed to be ryghte wyse. Thenne 
saide the old man, " Why are ye so sad ? " "I maye wel 
be hevy," said Arthur, "for many thynges. Also here 
was a chyld and told me many thynges that me semeth 
he shold not knowe, for he was not of age to knowe my 5 
fader." "Yes," said the old man, "the child told yow 
trouthe, and more wold he have tolde yow and ye wolde 
have suffred hym. But ye have done a thynge late that 
God is displeasyd with yow, for ye have layne by your 
syster, and on her ye have goten a chyld that shalle lo 
destroye yow and all the knyghtes of your realme." 
" What are ye," said Arthur, " that telle me these 
tydynges ? " "I am Merlyn, and I was he in the childes 
lykenes." " A," sayd kyng Arthur, "ye are a merveillous 
man, but I merveylle moche of thy wordes that I mote 15 
dye in bataille." "Merveylle not," said Merlyn, "for it 
is Gods wyll youre body to be punysshed for your fowle 
dedes. But I may wel be sory," said Merlyn, "for I 
shalle dye a shameful deth, to be put in the erthe quyck, 
and ye shall dye a worshipful deth." And as they talked 20 
this, cam one with the kynges hors, and so the kyng 
mounted on his hors and Merlyn on another, and so rode 
unto Carlyon. And anone the kynge asked Ector and 
Ulfyus how he was bigoten. And they told hym Uther- 
pendragon was his fader and queue Igrayn his moder. 25 
Thenne he sayd to Merlyn, " 1 wylle that my moder be 
sente for that I may speke with her, and yf she saye so 
her self, the;zne wylle I byleve hit." In all hast the 
queue was sente for, and she cam and broughte with her 
Morgan le Fay her doughter, that was as fayre a lady as 30 
ony myghte be ; and the kynge welcomed Igrayne in the 
best maner. 



38 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 



Capitulum its. 

Ryght soo cam Ulfyus and saide openly, that the 
kynge and all my^>^t here that were fested that day, " Ye 
are the falsest lady of the world, and the most traitresse 
unto the kynges person." " Beware," saide Arthur, ''what 
5 thow saist, thow spekest a grete word." " I am wel 
ware," said Ulfyus, ''what I speke, and here is my glove 
to preve hit upon ony man that will seye the contrary, 
that this quene Igrayne is causar af ^ your grete domage, 
and of your grete werre. For, and she wold have utterd 

lo it in the lyf of kyng Utherpe;/dragon of the byrthe of 
yow, and how ye were begoten, ye had never had the 
mortal werrys that ye have had, for the moost party of 
your barons of your realme knewe never whos sone ye 
were, nor of whome ye were begoten. And she that bare 

15 yow of her body shold have made it knowen openly in 
excusyng of her worship and yours, and in lyke wyse to 
alle the reame ; wherfor I preve her fals to God and to 
yow and to al your realme, and who wyll saye the contrary 
I wyll preve it on his body." 

20 Thenne spak Igrayne and sayd, " I am a woman, and I 
may not fyghte, but rather than I shold be dishonoured 
ther wold some good man take my quarel. More," she 
sayd, " Merlyn knoweth wel and ye, Syr Ulfyus, how 
kynge Uther cam to me in the castel of Tyntagaill, in the 

25 lykenes of my lord that was dede thre houres to fore, and 
therby gat a child that nyght upon me. And after the 
xiij day kynge Uther wedded me, and by his commaunde- 
ment whan the child was borne it was delyverd unto 
Merlyn, and nourysshed by hym, and so 1 sawe the child 

30 never after, nor wote not what is his name, for I knewe 

1 Read of. 



Chap. XXII.] ARTHUR MEETS HIS MOTHER. 39 

hym never yet." And there Ulfyus saide to the quene, 
"Merlyn is more to blame than ye." "Wei I wote," said 
the quene, " I bare a child by my lord kyng Uther, but I 
wote not where he is become." Thenne Merlyn toke the 
kynge by the hand, sayeng, "' This is your moder." And 5 
therwith Syr Ector bare wytnes how he nourysshed hym 
by Uthers commaundement. And therwith kynge Arthur 
toke his moder quene Igrayne in his armes and kyst her, 
and eyther wepte upon other. And thenne the kyng lete 
make a feest that lasted eyght dayes. lo 

Thenne on a day ther come in the courte a squyer on 
hors back, ledynge a knyght before hym wounded to the 
dethe, and told hym how ther was a knyght in the forest 
had rered up a pavelione by a well, " And hath slayne my 
mayster, a good knyght, his name was Mylis ; wherfor I 15 
byseche yow that my mayster maye be buryed, and that 
somme kny^/^t maye revenge my maysters deth." Thenne 
the noyse was grete of that knyghtes dethe in the court, 
and every man said his advys. Thenne came Gryflett, 
that was but a squyer, and he was but yonge, of the age 20 
of the kyng Arthur ; soo he besoughte the kyng for alle 
his servyse that he had done hym to gyve the ordre of 
knyghthode. 

Capttttlum xm. 

" Thou arte full yong and tendyr of age," sayd Arthur, 
"for to take so hyghe an ordre on the." "Sir," said 25 
Gryflet, " I byseche yow make me kny^/zt." " Syr," said 
Merlyn, " it were grete pyte to lese Gryflet, for he wille 
be a passynge good man whanne he is of age, abydynge 
with yow the terme ^ of his lyf . And yf he aventure his 
body with yonder knyght at the fontayne, it is in grete 30 

1 Caxton's text has terme me. 



40 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

peryll yf ever he come ageyne, for he is one of the best 
knyghtes of the world, and the stre/^gyst man of amies." 
"Wei," said Arthur. So at the desyre of Gryflet the 
kynge made hym knyght. " Now," said Arthur unto Syre 
5 Gryflet, " sythen I have made yow knyghte, thow must 
yeve me a gyfte." "What ye will," said Gryflet. "Thou 
shalt promyse me by the feythe of thy body whan thou 
hast justed with the knyght at the fontayne, whether it 
falle ye be on foote or on horsbak, that ryght so ye shal 

10 come ageyne unto me withoute makynge ony more 
debate." "I wyll promyse yow," said Gryflet, "as yow 
desyre." Thenne toke Gryflet his hors in grete haste, 
and dressyd his sheld, and toke a spere in his hand, and 
so he rode a grete wallop tyll he cam to the fontayne, and 

15 ther by he sawe a ryche pavelion, and ther by under a 
clothe stode a fayr hors wel sadeled and brydeled, and on 
a tree a shelde of dyverse colours, and a grete spere. 
Thenne Gryflet smote on the sheld with the bott of his 
spere that the shylde felle doune to the ground. With 

20 that the knyght cam oute of the pavelion e and sayd, 
"Fair knyght, why smote ye doune my sheld.?" "For I 
wil juste with yow," said Gryflet. "It is better ye doo 
not," sayd the knyghte, "for ye are but yong and late 
made knyght, and your myghte is nothyng to myn." " As 

25 for that," saide Gryflet, " I wylle juste with yow." "That 
is me loth," said the knyght, "but sythen I muste nedes 
I wille dresse me therto. Of whens be ye?" sayd the 
kny^/^te. "Syre, I am of Arthurs courte." So the two 
knyghtes ranne to gyder that Gryflets spere al to shevered, 

30 and ther with all he smote Gryflet thorowe the shelde and 
the lyfte syde, and brake the spere that the troncheon 
stack in his body, that hors and knyghte fylle doune. 



Chap. XXIII.] THE EMBASSY FROM ROME. 41 



Capttulum xi\\\. 

Than the knyght sawe hym lye soo on the ground, he 
alyght, and was passynge hevy, for he wende he had 
slayne hym. And thenne he unlaced his helme and gate 
hym wynde, and so with the troncheon he set hym on his 
hors and gate him wynde, and so bytoke hym to God, and 5 
seid he had a myghty hert, and yf he myght lyve he wold 
preve a passynge good kny^/^t. And so Syr Gryfiet rode 
to the court, where grete doole was made for hym. But 
thorowe good leches he was heled and saved. 

Ryght so cam in to the courte xij kny^//tes and were 10 
aged men, and they cam from themperour of Rome, and 
they asked of Arthur truage for this realme, other els 
themperour wold destroye hym and his land. "Wei," 
said kyng Arthur, '*ye are messagers, therfor ye may say 
what ye wil other els ye shold dye therfore. But this is 15 
myn ansuer : I owe themperour noo truage nor none will 
I hold hym, but on a fayr felde I shall yeve hym my 
truage, that shal be with a sharp spere or els with a sharp 
swerd, and that shall not be long, by my faders soule, 
Utherpendragon." And therwith the messagers departed 20 
passyngly wroth and kyng Arthur as wroth ; for in evyl 
tyme cam they thenne, for the kyng was passyngly wroth 
for the hurte of Sir Gryfiet. And soo he commaunded a 
pryvy man of his chambre, that or hit be day his best 
hors and armour, with all that longeth unto his persone, 25 
be withoute the cyte or to morowe daye. Ryght so, or to 
morow day, he met with his man and his hors, and so 
mounted up, and dressid his sheld, and toke his spere, 
and bad his chamberlayne tary there tyll he came ageyne. 

And so Arthur roode a softe paas tyll it was day, and 30 
thenne was he ware of thre chorles chacynge Merlyn, and 



42 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book I, 

wold have slayne hym. Thenne the kyng rode unto them 
and bad them, " Flee, chorles." Thenne were they aferd 
whan they sawe a knyght, and fled. " O Merlyn," said 
Arthur, " here haddest thou be slayne, for all thy craftes, 
5 had I not byn." ''Nay," said Merlyn, "not soo, for I 
coude save my self and I wold ; and thou arte more nere 
thy deth than I am, for thow gost to the deth ward, and 
God be not thy frend." So as they wente thus talkyng 
they came to the fontayne, and the ryche pavelione there 

10 by hit. Thenne kyng Arthur was ware where sat a 
knyght armed in a chayer. " Syr knyght," said Arthur, 
"for what cause abydest thow here, that ther maye no 
knyght ryde this wey but yf he juste wyth the? " said the 
kynge. " I rede the leve that custome," said Arthur. 

15 "This customme," saide the knyght, "have I used and 
wille use magre who saith nay ; and who is greved with 
my custome lete hym amende hit that wol." "I wil 
amende it," said Arthur. " I shal defende the," said the 
kny^//t. Anon he toke his hors and dressid his shylde, 

20 and toke a spere, and they met so hard either in others 
sheldes that al to shevered their sperys. Ther with anone 
Arthur pulled oute his swerd. " Nay, not so," said the 
knyght, " it is fayrer," sayd the kny^/^t, "that we tweyne 
renne more to gyders with sharp sperys." " I wille wel," 

25 said Arthur, " and I had ony mo sperys." " I have 
ynow," said the kny^//t. So ther cam a squyer and 
brou^/zt in good sperys, and Arthur chose one and he 
another. So they spored their horses, and cam to gyders 
with al the myghtes, that eyther brak her speres to her 

30 handes. Thenne Arthur sette hand on his swerd. 
"Nay," seid the knyght, "ye shal do better; ye are a 
passynge good juster as ever I mette with al, and ones 
for the love of the hyghe ordre of kny^/^thode lete us 
juste ones ageyn." " I assente me," said Arthur. Anone 



Chap.. XX HI.] FIGHT WITH PELLINORE. 43 

there were brought two grete sperys, and every knyght 
gat a spere, and therwith they ranne to gyders that 
Arthurs spere al to shevered. But the other knyghte 
hyt hym so hard in myddes of the shelde that horse and . 
man felle to the erthe, and ther with Arthur was egre and 5 
pulled oute his swerd, and said, "I will assay the, syr 
knyghte, on foote, for I have lost the honour on horsbak." 
" I will be on horsbak," said the knyght. Thenne was 
Arthur wrothe, and dressid his sheld toward hym with his 
swerd drawen. Whan the knyght sawe that, he a lyghte, 10 
for hym thought no worship to have a knyght at suche 
availle, he to be on horsbak and he on foot, and so he 
alyght and dressid his sheld unto Arthur. And ther 
bega;^ a strong bataille with many grete strokes, and soo 
hewe with her swerdes that the cantels flewe in the f eldes, 1 5 
and moche blood they bledde bothe, that al the place 
there as they faught was over bledde with blood. And 
thus they fought long and rested hem, and thenne they 
wente to the batayl ageyne, and so hurtled to gyders lyke 
two rammes that eyther felle to the erthe. So at the last 20 
they smote to gyders, that both her swerdys met even to 
gyders. But the swerd of the knyght smote kyng Arthurs 
swerd in two pyeces, wherfor he was hevy. Thenne said 
the knyghte unto Arthur, "Thow arte in my daunger 
whether me lyst to save the or slee the, and but thou 25 
yelde the as overcome and recreaunt thow shalt deye." 
" As for deth," said kyng Arthur, " welcome be it whan it 
Cometh; but to yelde me unto the as recreaunt, I had 
lever dye than to be soo shamed." And ther with al the 
kynge lepte unto Pellinore, and tooke hym by the myddel, 30 
and threwe hym doune, and raced of his helme. Whan 
the knyght felt that he was adrad, for he was passynge 
bygge man of myghte, and anone he broughte Arthur 
under hym, and reaced of his helme, and wold have 
smyten of his hede. 



44 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

Capitulum jjtitj* 

Ther with all came Merlyn, and sayd, '' Knyghte, hold 
thy hand, for and thow slee that knyghte thou puttest this 
reame in the grettest dammage that ever was reame ; for 
this knyght is a man of more worship than thou wotest 
5 of." " Why, who is he ? " said the knyghte. " It is kyng 
Arthur." Thenne wold he have slayn hym for drede of 
his wrathe, and heve up his swerd, and therwith Merlyn 
cast an enchauntement to the knyghte, that he felle to 
the erthe in a grete slepe. Thenne Merlyn tooke up 

lo kyng Arthur, and rode forth on the kny^/^tes hors. 
" Alias," said Arthur, " what hast thou done, Merlyn ? hast 
thow slayne this good knyghte by thy craftes? There 
lyveth not soo worshipful a knyghte as he was. I had 
lever than the stynte of my land a yere that he were on 

15 lyve." " Care ye not," sayd Merlyn, " for he is holer than 
ye, for he is but on slepe, and will awake within thre 
houres." " I told you," said Merlyn, "what a knyghte he 
was. Here had ye be slayn had I not ben. Also ther 
lyveth not a b3'gger knyght than he is one, and he shal 

20 here after do yow ryght good servyse, and his name is 
Pellinore. And he shal have two sones that shal be 
passyng good men ; sauf one they shalle have no felawe 
or^ prowesse and of good lyvynge, and her names shal be 
Persyval of Walys and Lamerak of Walls ; and he shal 

25 telle yow the name of your own sone bygoten of your 
syster that shal be the destruction of alle this royame." 

Capitulum nv>. 

Ryghte so the kyng and he departed, and wente un 
tyl an ermyte, that was a good man and a grete leche. 
Soo the heremyte serched all his woundys and gaf hym 

i Read of ? 



Chap. XXV.] ARTHUR GETS EXCALIBUR. 45 

good salves. So the kyng was there thre dayes, and 
thenne were his woundes wel amendyd that he myght 
ryde and goo, and so departed. And as they rode, Arthur 
said, " I have no swerd." " No force," said Merlyn, " here 
by is a swerd that shalle be yours and I may." Soo they 5 
rode tyl they came to a lake, the whiche was a fayr water 
and brood. And in the myddes of the lake Arthur was 
ware of an arme clothed in whyte samyte, that held a fayr 
swerd in that hand. " Loo," said Merlyn, " yonder is that 
swerd that I spak of." With that they sawe a damoisel 10 
goyng upon the lake. " What damoysel is that ? " said 
Arthur. " That is the Lady of the Lake," said Merlyn ; 
" and within that lake is a roche, and theryn is as fayr a 
place as ony on erthe and rychely besene, and this 
damoysell wylle come to yow anone, and thenne speke ye 15 
fayre to her that she will gyve yow that swerd." Anone 
with all came the damoysel unto Arthur and salewed 
hym, and he her ageyne. "Damoysel," said Arthur, 
" what swerd is that that yonder the arme holdeth above 
the water ? I wold it were myne, for I have no swerd." 20 
"Syr Arthur kynge," said the damoysell, "that swerd is 
myn, and yf ye will gyve me a yefte whan I aske it yow, 
ye shal have it." "By myfeyth," said Arthur, "I will 
yeve yow what yefte ye will aske." "Wel," said the 
damoisel, "go ye into yonder barge, and rowe your self 25 
to the swerd, and take it and scaubart with yow, and I 
will aske my yefte whan I see my tyme." 

So Syr Arthur and Merlyn alyght, and tayed their 
horses to two trees, and so they went in to the ship, and 
whanne they came to the swerd that the hand held, Syre 30 
Arthur toke it up by the handels, and toke it with hym. 
And the arme and the ha«d went under the water, and so 
come unto the lond and rode forth. And the/me Syr 
Arthur sawe a rychc pavelion. " What sygnyfyeth yo;/der 



46 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book I. 

pavelion ? " " That is ///e kny^//tes pavelion," seid 
Merlyn, " that ye ioMght with last, Syr Pellinore ; but he 
is out, he is not there, he hath adoo with a knyght of 
yours that hyght Egglame, and they have fou^/^ten to 
5 gyder, but al ^ the last Egglame fledde, and els he had ben 
dede, and he hath chaced hym even to Carlyon, and we 
shal mete with hym anon in the hygh wey." "That is 
wel sayd," said Arthur, "now have I a swerd, now wille 
I wage bataill with hym and be avenged on hym." "Sir, 

lo ye shal not so," said Merlyn, "for the knyght is wery of 
fyghtyng and chacyng, so that ye shal have no worship to 
have a do with hym. Also he will not be ly^//tly matched 
of one kny^/^t lyvyng, and therfor it is my counceil, lete 
hym passe ; for he shal do you good servyse in shorte 

15 tyme, and his sones after his dayes. Also ye shal see 
that day in short space, ye shal be ri^//t glad to yeve him 
your sister to wedde." "Whan I see hym I wil doo as 
ye advyse," sayd Arthur. Thenne Syre Arthur loked on 
the swerd, and lyked it passynge wel. " Whether lyketh 

20 yow better," sayd Merlyn, "the suerd or the scaubard ? " 
"Me lyketh better the swerd," sayd Arthur. "Ye are 
more unwyse," sayd Merlyn, "for the scaubard is worth 
X of the swerdys ; for whyles ye have the scaubard upon 
yow ye shalle never lese no blood, be ye never so sore 

25 wounded ; therfor kepe wel the scaubard alweyes with 
yow." So they rode unto Carlyon, and by the way they 
met with Syr Pellinore, but Merlyn had done suche a 
crafte that Pellinore sawe not Arthur, and he past by 
withoute ony wordes. " I merveylle," sayd Arthur, "that 

30 the knyght wold not speke." "Syr," said Merlyn, "he 
sawe yow not ; for and he had sene yow ye had not 
lyghtly departed." Soo they come unto Carlyon, wherof 
his knyghtes were passynge glad. And whanne they 

1 Read at. 



Chap. XXVIL] DEMAND FOR ARTHUR'S BEARD. 47 

herd of his aventures they merveilled that he wold 
jeoparde his persone soo al one. But alle men of 
worship said it was mery to be under suche a chyvetayne 
that wolde put his persone in aventure as other poure 
knyghtes dyd. 5 

Capitulum jjvlj* 

This meane whyle came a messager from kynge Ryons 
of Northwalys, and kynge he was of all Ireland and of 
many lies. And this was his message gretynge wel 
kynge Arthur in this manere wyse, sayenge that kynge 
Ryons had discomfyte and overcome xj kynges, and lo 
everyche of hem did hym homage, and that was this ; 
they gaf hym their berdys clene fiayne of, as moche as 
ther was ; wher for the messager came for kyng Arthurs 
berd. For kyng Ryons had purfyleci a mantel with 
kynges berdes, and there lacked one place of the mantel, 15 
wherfor he sente for his berd, or els he wold entre in to 
his landes, and brenne and slee, and never leve tyl he 
have the hede and the berd. " Wel," sayd Arthur, " thow 
hast said thy message, the whiche is the most vylaynous 
and lewdest message that ever man herd sente unto a 20 
kynge. Also thow mayst see, my berd is ful yong yet to 
make a purfyl of hit. But telle thow thy kynge this : I 
owe hym none homage, ne none of myn elders, but or it 
be longe to he shall do me homage on bothe his kneys, 
or els he shall lese his hede, by the feith of my body, for 25 
this is the most shamefullest message that ever I herd 
speke of. I have aspyed thy kyng met never yet with 
worshipful man, but telle hym I wyll have his hede with- 
oute he doo me homage." Thenne the messager 
departed. " Now is there ony here," said Arthur, " that 3° 
knoweth kyng Ryons ? " Thenne ansuerd a knyght that 
hyght Naram, " Syre, I knowe the kynge wel ; he is a 



48 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. 

passyng good man of his body as fewe ben lyvynge, and 
a passyng prowde man, and, Sir, doubte ye not he v/ille 
make warre on yow with a myghty puyssaunce." "Wei," 
said Arthur, " I shall ordeyne for hym in short tyme." 

Gapttulum xvo\\\. 

5 Thea'ne kyng Arthur lete sende for al the children? 
born on May Day, begote;? of lordes and born of ladyes, 
for Merlyn told kynge Arthur that he that shold destroye 
hym shold be borne in May Day ; wherfor he sent for hem 
all upon payn of deth, and so ther were founde many 

10 lordes sones, and all were sente unto the kynge. And soo 
was Mordred sente by kyng Lotts wyf, and all were put 
in a ship to the see, and some were iiij wekes old, and 
some lasse. And so by fortune the shyp drofe unto a 
castel, and was al to ryven and destroyed the most part, 

15 sauf that Mordred was cast up, and a good man fonde 
hym, and nourysshed hym tyl he was xiiij yere olde. 
And thenne he brought hym to the court, as it reherceth 
afterward toward the ende of the Deth of Arthur. So 
many lordes and barons of this reame were displeasyd, 

20 for her children were so lost, and many put the wyte on 
Merlyn more than on Arthur ; so what for drede and for 
love they helde their pees. But whanne the messager 
came to kynge Ryons, thenne was he woode cute of 
mesure, and purveyed hym for a grete boost, as it 

25 rehercyth after in the book of Balyn le Saveage that 
foloweth next after, how by adventure Balyn gat the 
swerd. ■ 



Bjpltctt Itber primus 
Jnctpit liber secun^us 

After the dethe of Utherpendragon regned Arthur his 
sone, the whiche had grete werre in his dayes for to gete 
al Englond in to his hand. For there were many kynges 
within the realme of Englond, and in Walys, Scotland, 
and Cornewaille. Soo it befelle on a tyme whanne kyng 5 
Arthur was at London, ther came a knyght and tolde the 
kynge tydynges, how that the kynge Ryons of Northwalys 
had rered a grete nombre of peple, and were entryd in to 
the land, and brente and slewe the kynges true liege 
peple. "Yf this be true," said Arthur, "it were grete 10 
shame unto myn estate but that he were myghtely with- 
stand." "It is trouthe," sayd the knyghte, "for I sawe 
the hoost my self." " Wei," saide the kynge, " lete make 
a crye," that all the lordes, knyghtes, and gentylmen of 
armes shold drawe unto a castel called Camelot in tho 15 
dayes, and ther the kynge wold lete make a counceil 
general and a grete justes. 

So whan the kynge was come thyder with all his 
baronage, and lodged as they semed best, ther was come 
a damoisel the whiche was sente on message from the 20 
grete lady Lylle of Avelyon. And whan she came bifore 
kynge Arthur, she told from whome she came, and how 
she was sent on message unto hym for these causes. 
Thenne she lete her mantel falle that was rychely furred. 
And thenne was she gyrd with a noble swerd wherof the 25 
kynge had merveill, and said, " Damoysel, for what cause 
are ye gyrd with that swerd? it bisemeth yow not." 
''Now shall I telle yow," said the damoysel. "This 



50 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book II. 

swerd that I am gyrd with al doth me grete sorowe and 
comberaunce, for I may not be delyverd of this swerd but 
by a knyghte ; but he must be a passyng good man of 
his handes and of his dedes, and withoute vylonye or 

5 trecherye, and withoute treason. And yf 1 maye fynde 
suche a knyghte that hath all these vertues, he may drawe 
oute this swerd oute of the shethe ; for I have ben at 
kyng Ryons. It was told me ther were passyng good 
knyghtes, and he and alle his knyghtes have assayed it, 

lo and none can spede." '' This is a grete merveill," said 
Arthur ; '' yf this be sothe, I wille my self assaye to drawe 
oute the swerd, not presumynge upon my self that I am 
the best knyghte, but that I will begynne to drawe at 
your swerd in gyvyng example to alle the barons that they 

15 shall assay everychone after other whan I have assayed 
it."' Thenne Arthur toke the swerd by the shethe and by 
the gyrdel, and pulled at it egrely, but the swerd wold not 
oute. "Sire," seid the damoysell, ''ye nede not to pulle 
half so hard, for he that shall pulle it out shal do it with 

2o lytel myghte." "Ye say wel," said Arthur. "Now 
assaye ye, al my barons, but beware ye be not defoyled 
with shame, trechery, ne gyle." " Thenne it wille not 
avaylle," sayd the damoysell, "for he must be a clene 
knyght withoute vylony, and of a gentil strene of fader 

25 syde and moder syde." Moost of all the barons of the 
Round Table that were there at that tyme assayed alle 
by rewe, but ther myght non spede ; wherfor the damoysel 
made grete sorow oute of mesure, and sayd, "Alias! I 
wende in this courte had ben the best knyghtes, withoute 

30 trechery or treson." " By my feythe," sayth Arthur, 
" here are good knyghtes as I deme as ony ben in the 
world, but theyr grace is not to helpe yow, wherfor I am 
displeasyd." 



Chap. II.] BALIN AND THE SIVORD. 51 



Capitulum ij. 

Thenne felle hit soo that tyme ther was a poure knyght 
with kynge Arthur, that had byn prysoner with hym half 
a yere and more for sleynge of a knyghte, the whiche was 
cosyn unto kynge Arthur. The name of this knyght was 
called Balen ; and by good meanes of the barons he was 5 
delyverd oute of pryson, for he was a good man named of 
his body, and he was borne in Northumberland. And soo 
he wente pryvely in to the courte, and sawe this adventure. 
Werof hit reysed his herte, and wolde assaye it as other 
knyghtes dyd ; but for he was poure and pourely arayed ic 
he put hym not ferre in prees. But in his herte he was 
fully assured to doo as wel yf his grace happed hym as 
ony knyght that there was. And as the damoysel toke 
her leve of Arthur and of alle the barons so departyng, 
this knyght Balen called unto her and sayd, "Damoysel, 15 
I praye yow of your curtosy, suffre me as wel to assay as 
these lordes, though that I be so pourely clothed : in my 
herte me semeth I am fully assured as somme of these 
other, and me semeth in my herte to spede ryght wel." 
The damoysel beheld the poure knyght, and sawe he was 20 
a lykely man, but for his poure arrayment she thoughte 
he shold be of no worship withoute vylonye or trechery. 
And the;me she sayd unto the knyght, *' Sir, it nedeth not 
to put me to more payn or labour, for it semeth not yow 
to spede there as other have failled." "A, fayr damoysel," 25 
said Balen, " worthynes and good tatches and good dedes 
are not only in arrayment, but manhood and worship is 
hyd within mans persone, and many a worshipful knyghte 
is not knowen unto alle people, and therfore worship and 
hardynesse is not in arayment." ''By God," sayd the 30 
damoysel, " ye say sothe, therfor ye shal assaye to do what 
ye may." 



52 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Boo^ II. 

Thenne Balen took the swerd by the gyrdel and shethe 
and drewe it out easyly, and when he loked on the swerd 
hit pleasyd hym moche. Thenne had the kynge and alle 
the barons grete merveille that Balen hadde done that 
5 aventure : many knyghtes had grete despyte af^ Balen. 
" Certes," said the dainoysel, ''this is a passynge good 
knyght, and the best that ever I found, and moost of 
worship withoute treson, trechery, or vylony, and many 
merveylles shalle he do. Now, gentyl and curtois 

10 knyght, yeve me the swerd ayene." *' Nay," said Balen, 
" for this swerd wylle I kepe, but it be taken from me 
with force." "Wei," saide the damoysel, "ye are not 
wyse to kepe the swerd from me, for ye shalle slee with 
the swerd the best frende that ye have, and the man that 

15 ye moste love in the world, and the swerd shalle be your 
destruction." "I shal take the adventure," sayd Balen, 
" that God wille ordeyne me, but the swerd ye shalle not 
have at this tyme, by the feythe of my body." "Ye shalle 
repente hit within short tyme," sayd the damoysel, "for I 

20 wold have the swerd more for your avaylle than for myne, 
for I am passyng hevy for your sake ; for ye wil not 
byleve that swerd shal be youre destruction, and that is 
grete pyte." With that the damoysel departed makynge 
grete sorowe. 

25 Anone after Balen sente for his hors and armour, and 
soo wold departe fro the courte, and toke his leve of 
kynge Arthur. "Nay," sayd the kynge, "I suppose ye 
wyll not departe so H.^V/tely fro this felauship. I suppose 
ye are displeased that I have shewed yow unkyndenes. 

30 Blame me the lasse for I was mys senformed- ageynst 
yow, but I wende ye had not ben suche a knyght as ye 
are of worship and prowesse, and yf ye wyll abyde in this 
courte among my felauship, I shiille so avaunce yow as ye 

1 Read of. 2 Sic. 



Chap. III.] THE LADY OF THE LAKE. S3 

shalle be pleased." "God thanke your hyhenes," said 
Balen ; " your bounte and hyhenes may no man preyse 
half to the valewe, but at this tyme I must nedes departe, 
bysechyng yow alwey of your good grace." "Truly," said 
the kynge, " I am ryght wroth e for your departyng. I 5 
pray yow, faire knyghte, that ye tary not long, and ye shal 
be ryght welcome to me and to my barons, and I shalle 
amende all mysse that I have done ageynst yow." "God 
thanke your grete lordship," said Balen, and therwith 
made hym redy to departe. Thenne the moost party of 10 
the knyghtes of the Round Table sayd that Balen did not 
this aventure al only by myghte, but by wytchecraft. 

Capttulum Uerctum. 

The meane whyle that this knyght was makyng hym 
redy to departe, there came in to the court a lady that 
hyght the Lady of the Lake. And she came on horsback, 15 
rychely bysene, and salewed kynge Arthur, and there 
asked hym a yefte that he promysed her whan she gaf 
hym the swerd. "That is sothe," said Arthur, "a gyfte 
I promysed yow, but I have forgoten the name of my 
swerd that ye gave me." "The name of it," said the 20 
lady, " is Excalibur, that is as moche to say as, Cut stele." 
" Ye saye wel," said the kynge, " aske what ye wil and ye 
shall have it, and hit lye in my power to yeve hit." 
"Wel," sayd the lady, "I aske the heede of the knyghte 
that hath wonne the swerd, or els the damoysels heede 25 
that broughte hit. I take no force though I have bothe 
their hedes, for he slevve my broder, a good kny^>^te and 
a true, and that gentilwoman was causar of my faders 
deth." " Truly," said kynge Arthur, " I maye not graunte 
neyther of her hedes with my worship, therfor aske what 30 
ye wille els and I shall fulfille your desyre." " I wil aske 



54 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book TI. 

none other thyng," said the lady. Whan Balyn was redy 
to departe he sawe the Lady of the Lake that by her 
menes had slayne Balyns moder, and he had soughte her 
thre yeres ; and whan it was told hym that she asked his 
5 hede of kynge Arthur he went to her streyte and said, 
" Evyl be you fou;/de : ye wold have my hede, and ther- 
fore ye shall lese yours," and with hys swerd lyghtly he 
smote of hir hede before kynge Arthur. " Alias, for 
shame," sayd Arthur, " why have ye done so ? ye have 

10 shamed me and al my courte ; for this was a lady that I 
was be holden to, and hyther she came under my sauf 
conduyte. I shalle never foryeve you that trespas." 
" Sir," said Balen, " me forthynketh of your displeasyr, 
for this same lady was the untruest lady lyvynge, and by 

15 enchauntement and sorssery she hath ben the destroyer 

of many good knyghtes, and she was causer that my 

. moder was brente thorow her falshede and trechery." 

" What cause soo ever ye had," said Arthur, " ye shold 

have forborne her in my presence ; therfor thynke not the 

20 contrary, ye shalle repente it, for suche another despyte 
had I never in my courte ; therfor withdrawe yow oute of 
my courte in al hast that ye may." 

Thenne Balen toke up the heed of the lady and bare it 
with hym to his hostry, and there he met with his squyer, 

25 that was sory he had displeasyd kyng Arthur, and so they 
rode forth oute of the town. "Now," said Balen, "we 
must departe ; take thow this hede and here it to my 
frendys, and telle hem how I have sped, and telle my 
frendys in Northumberland that my most foo is deed. 

30 Also telle hem how I am oute of pryson, and what 
avewture befelle me at the getyng of this swerd." "Alias," 
said the squyar, " ye are gretely to blame for to displease 
kyng Arthur." "As for thatj" said Balen, " I wylle hyhe 
me in al the hast that I may to mete with kynge Ryons 



Chap. IV.] LANCEOR PURSUES BALIN. 55 

and destroye hym eyther els or dye therfor ; and yf it may 
happe me to wynne hym, thenne wille kynge Arthur be 
my good and gracious lord." ''Where shall I mete with, 
yow ? " saide the squyer. " In kynge Arthurs court," said 
Balen. So his squyer and he departed at that tyme. 5 
Thenne kynge Arthur and alle the court made grete doole, 
and had shame of the deth of the Lady of the Lake. 
Thenne the kyng buryed her rychely. 

Capttulum titj* 

At that tyme ther was a knyghte the whiche was the 
kynges sone of Irelond, and his name was Launceor, the 10 
whiche was an orgulous kny^//t, and counted hym self one 
of the best of the courte, and he had grete despyte at 
Balen for the enchevynge of the swerd, that ony shold be 
acounted more hardy or more of prowesse ; and he asked 
kynge Arthur yf he wold gyve hym leve to ryde after 15 
Balen, and to revenge the despyte that he had done. 
" Doo your best," said Arthur. " I am right wroth said^ 
Balen, I wold he were quyte of the despyte that he hath 
done to me and to my courte." Thenne this Launceor 
wente to his hostry to make hym redy. 20 

In the meane whyle cam Merlyn unto the court of kyng 
Arthur, and there was told hym the adventure of the 
swerd and the deth of the Lady of the Lake. " Now 
shall I saye yow," said Merlyn, " this same damoysel that 
here standeth that broughte the swerde unto your court, 25 
I shalle telle yow the cause of her comynge : she was the 
falsest damoysel that lyveth." '* Say not so," said they. 
" She hath a broder, a passynge good knyght of prowesse 
and a ful true man, and this damoysel loved another 
knyght that helde her to peramour, and this good knyght 30 

1 Read with. 



56 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book II. 

her broder mett with the knyght that held her to peramour, 
and slewe hym by force of his handes. Whan this fals 
damoysel understood thys, she wente to the lady Lyle of 
Avelione, and besought her of help to be avengyd on her 
5 owne broder." 

Capttulum qutntum. 

" And so this lady Lyle of Avelion toke her this swerd 
that she broughte with her, and told there shold noo man 
puUe it oute of the shethe but yf he be one of the best 
knyghtes of this reame, and he shold be hard and ful of 

lo prowesse, and with that swerd he shold slee her broder. 
This was the cause that the damoysel came in to this 
courte. 1 knowe it as wel as ye. Wolde God she had 
nat ^ comen in to thys courte ; but she came never in 
felauship of worship to do good, but alweyes grete harme. 

15 And that knyght that hath encheved the suerd shal be 
destroyed by that suerd, for the whiche wil be grete 
dommage ; for ther lyveth not a kny^/zt of more prowesse 
than he is, and he shalle do unto yow, my lord Arthur, 
grete honour and kyndenesse, and it is grete pyte he shall 

20 not endure but a whyle, for of his strengthe and hardy- 
nesse I knowe not his matche lyvynge." 

Soo the knyght of Irelonde armed hym at al poyntes, 
and dressid his shelde on his sholder, and mounted upon 
horsback, and toke his spere in his hand, and rode after 

25 a grete paas as moche as his hors myght goo. and within 
a lytel space on a montayne he had a syghte of Balyn, 
and with a lowde voys he cryed, " Abyde, knyght, for ye 
shal abyde whether ye will or nyll, and the sheld that is 
to fore you shalle not helpe." Whan Balyn herd the 

30 noyse he tourned his hors fyersly, and saide, " Faire 
knyghte, what wille ye with me, wille ye juste with me .'^ " 

1 Read not. 



Chap. VI.] BALIN SLAYS LANCEOR. S? 

"Ye," said the Irysshe knyghte, " therfor come I after 
yow." " Paraventure," said Balyn, " it had ben better to 
have hold yow at home, for many a man weneth to putte 
his enemy to a rebuke, and ofte it falleth to hym self. Of 
what courte be ye sente f ro ? " said Balyn. " I am come 5 
fro the courte of kynge Arthur," sayd the knyghte of 
Irlond, " that come hyder for to revenge the despyte ye 
dyd this day to kyng Arthur and to his courte." " Wei," 
said Balyn, " 1 see wel I must have adoo with yow : that 
me forthynketh for to greve kyng Arthur or ony of his 10 
courte ; and your quarel is ful symple," said Balyn, " unto 
me, for the lady that is dede dyd me grete dommage, or 
els wold I have ben lothe as ony knyghte that lyveth for 
to slee a lady." " Make yow redy," sayd the knyght 
Launceor, "and dresse yow unto me, for that one shalle 15 
abyde in the feld." Thenne they toke their speres and 
cam to gyders as moche as their horses myght dryve, and 
the Irysshe knyght smote Balyn on the sheld, that alle 
wente shevers of his spere, and Balyn hyt hym thorugh 
the sheld, and the hauberk perysshed, and so percyd 20 
thurgh his body and the hors croppe, and anon torned 
his hors fyersly and drewe oute his swerd, and wyste not 
that he had slayn hym, and thenne he sawe hym lye as a 
dede corps. 

Capttulum vj. 

Thenne he loked by hym and was ware of a damoysel 25 
that came ryde ful fast as the hors myghte ryde on a fayr 
palfroy ; and whan she aspyed that Launceor was slayne 
she made sorowe oute of mesure, and sayd, " O Balyn, 
two bodyes thou hast slayne, and one herte and two 
hertes in one body, and two soules thow hast lost." And 30 
therwith she toke the swerd from her love that lay ded, 
and fylle to the ground in a swowne. And whan she 



58 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book II. 

aroos she made grete dole out of mesure, the whiche 
sorowe greved Balyn passyngly sore, and he wente unto 
her for to have taken the swerd oute of her ha;/d, but she 
helde it so fast he myghte not take it oute of her hand 
5 onles he shold have hurte her ; and sodenly she sette the 
pomell to the ground and rofe her self thorow the body. 
Whan Balyn aspyed her dedes he was passynge hevy in 
his herte and ashamed that so fair a damoysell had de- 
stroyed her self for the love of his deth. ''Alias," said 

ID Balyn, " me repe/zteth sore the deth of this knyght for the 
love of this damoysel, for ther was moche true love 
betwixe them bothe." And for sorowe myght not lenger 
behold hym, but torned his hors and loked toward a grete 
forest, and ther he was ware by the armes of his broder 

15 Balan. And whan they were mette they putte of her 
helmes and kyssed to gyders, and wepte for joye and 
pyte. Thenne Balan sayd, " I lytel wende to have met 
with yow at this sodayne aventure ; I am ryght glad of 
your delyveraunce and of youre dolorous prysonement ; 

20 for a ma;? told me in the castel of Four Stones that ye 
were delyverd, and that man had sene you in the court of 
kynge Arthur, and therfor I cam hyder in to this countrey, 
for here I supposed to fynde you." Anon the VxvjghX. 
Balyn told his broder of his adventure of the swerd, and 

25 of the deth of the Lady of the Lake, and how kyng Arthur 
was displeasyd with hym : " Wherfor he sente this kny^/zt 
after me that lyeth here dede, and the dethe of this 
damoysel greveth me sore." " So doth it me," said Balan, 
" but ye must take the adventure that God will ordeyne 

30 yow." "Truly," said Balyn, "I am ryght hevy that my 
lord Arthur is displeasyd with me, for he is the moost 
worshipful knyght that regneth now on erthe, and his love 
will I gete or els I wil put my lyf in aventure ; for the 
kyng Ryons lyeth at a syege atte castel Tarabil, and 



Chap. VII.] BURIAL OF THE LOVERS. 59 

thyder will we drawe in all hast to preve our worship and 
prowesse upon hym." " I wil wel," said Balan, "that we 
do, and we wil helpe eche other as bretheren owght to do." 

da v>ij» 

" Now go we hens," said Balyn, " and wel be we met." 
The mene whyle as they talked ther cam a dwarf from 5 
the cyte of Camelot on horsbak, as moche as he myght, 
and fou//d the dede bodyes ; wherfor he made grete dole, 
and pulled out his here for sorou, and saide, " Which of 
you kny^/^tes have done this dede .? " " Where by askest 
thou it t " said Balan, " For I wold wete it," said the lo 
dwarfe. " It was I," said Balyn, "that slewe this knyght 
in my defendau;/t, for hyder he cam to chaace me, and 
other I must slee hym or he me ; and this damoysel slewe 
her self for his love, whiche repenteth me, and for her 
sake I shal owe al wymmen the better love." "Alias," 15 
said the dwarf, " thow hast done grete dommage unto thy 
self, for this knyght that is here dede was one of the most 
valyaunts men that lyved, and trust wel, Balyn, the kynne 
of this knyght wille chace yow thorowe the world tyl they 
have slayne yow." "As for that," sayd Balyn, "I fere 20 
not gretely, but I am ryght hevy that I have displeasyd 
my lord kyng Arthur for the deth of this knyght." 

Soo as they talked to gyders there came a kynge of 
Cornewaille rydynge, the whiche hyghte kynge Mark. 
And whanne he sawe these two bodyes dede, and under- 25 
stood hou they were dede by the ij knyghtes above saide, 
thenne maade the kynge grete sorowe for the true love 
that was betwix them, and said, " I wil not departe tyl I 
have on this erthe made a tombe." And there he pyght 
his pavelions, and soughte thurgh alle the countrey to 30 
fynde a tombe ; and in a chirche they found one was fair 



60 LE MORTE DARTHUK. [Book II. 

and ryche. And thenne the kynge lete put hem bothe in 
the erthe, and put the tombe upon hem, and wrote the 
names of them bothe on the tombe, how : — " Here lyeth 
Launceor the kynges sone of Irlond that at his owne 
5 request was slayne by the handes of Balyn, and how his 
lady Colombe and peramoure slewe her self with her 
loves swerd for dole and sorowe." 

Capttulum Pit], 

The mene whyle as this was a doyng, in cam Merlyn 
to kyng Mark, seyng alle his doynge, said, " Here shalle 

ID be in this same place the grettest bataille betwixt two 
knyghtes that was or ever shall be, and the truest lovers, 
and yet none of hem shalle slee other." And there 
Merlyn wrote her names upon the tombe with letters of 
gold that shold fyghte in that place, whos names were 

15 Launcelot de Lake and Trystram. " Thow art a merveil- 
lous man," saide kynge Marke unto Merlyn, '' that spekest 
of suche merveilles, thou art a boystous man and an 
unlykely to telle of suche dedes : what is thy name ? " 
said kynge Marke. " At this tyme," said Merlyn, " I will 

20 not telle, but at that tyme whan Syr Trystram is taken 
with his soverayne lady, thenne ye shalle here and knowe 
my name, and at that tyme ye shal here tydynges that 
shal not please yow." Thenne said Merlyn to Balyn, 
" Thou hast done thy self grete hurt by cause that thow 

25 savest not this lady that slewe her self, that myght have 
saved her and thow woldest." "By the feyth of my 
body," sayd Balyn, " I myght not save her, for she slewe 
her self sodenly." "Me repenleth," saide Merlyn, "by 
cause of the dethe of that lady thou shalt stryke a stroke 

30 most dolorous that ever man stroke excepte the stroke of 
oure Lorde, for thou shalt hurte the truest kny^'-/^t and the 



Chap. VIIT.] MERLIN'S PROPHECIES. 61 

man of most worship that now lyveth. and thorow that 
stroke iij kyngdoms shal be in grete poverte, mysere, and 
wretchidnes, xij yere, and the VnyghX. shal not be hool of 
that wou;2d many yeres." 

The;/ne Merlyn toke his leve of Balyn ; and Balen said, 5 
"Yf I wist it were soth that ye say 1 shold do suche 
peryllous dede as that, I wold slee my self to make the a 
lyar." Therwith Merlyn vanysshed awey sodenly; and 
thenne Balyn and his broder toke her leve of kynge Mark. 
" Fyrst," said the kynge, "telle me your name." " Syr," 10 
said Balen, " ye may see he bereth two swerdes, ther by 
ye may calle hym the knyght with the two swerdes." And 
soo departed kyng Marke unto Camelot to kynge Arthur, 
and Balyn toke the wey toward kyng Ryons. And as 
they rode to gyder they mett with Merlyn desguysed, but 15 
they knewe hym not. " Whyder ryde yow ? " said Merlyn, 
"We have lytel to do," saide the ij kny^>^tes, "to telle 
the." "But what is thy name?" said Balen. "At this 
tyme," said Merlyn, " I will not telle it the." " It is evyl 
sene," said the knyghtes, " that thou art a true man, that 20 
thou wolt not telle thy name." "As for that," sayd 
Merlyn, " be hit as it be may, I can telle yow wherfor ye 
ryde this wey, for to mete kyng Ryons, but it will not 
availle you without ye have my counceill." "A," said 
Balyn, " ye are Merlyn : we wyl be rulyd by your cou«- 25 
ceill." "Come on," said Merlyn, "ye shal have grete 
worship, and loke that ye do kny^/^tely, for ye shal have 
grete nede." "As for that," said Balen, " drede yow not 
we will do what we may." 



62 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book II. 



Capitulutn \t. 

Thenne Merlyn lodged them in a wode amonge levys 
besyde the hyhe way, and toke of the brydels of their 
horses and put hem to gras, and leid hem doun to reste 
hem tylle it was nyhe mydny^/^t, Thenne Merlyn badde 
5 hem ryse and make hem redy, for the the^ kynge was nygh 
them, that was stolen awey from his boost with a iij score 
horses of his best kny^//tes, and xx of hem rode to fore to 
warne the lady de Vance that the kyng was comyng ; for 
that Xi^ghX. kyng Ryons shold have layn with her. 

lo " Whiche is the kyng?" said Balyn. "Abyde," said 
Merlyn, "here in a streyte wey ye shal mete with hym "; 
and therwith he shewed Balyn and his broder where he 
rode. Anon Balyn and his broder mette with the kyng, 
and smote hym doune, and wounded hym fyersly, and leid 

15 hym to the ground, and there they slewe on the ryght 
hand and the lyfte hand, and slewe moo than xl of his 
men ; and the remenaunt fled. Thenne went they ageyne 
to kyng Ryons, and wold have slayn hym had he not 
yelded hym unto her grace. Thenne said he thus : 

20 ** Knyghtes ful of prowesse, slee me not, for by my lyf ye 
may wynne, and by my dethe ye shalle wynne noo 
thynge." Thenne sayd these two knyghtes, " Ye say 
sothe and trouth"; and so leyd hym on on- hors l3^ttar. 
With that Merlyn was vanysshed and came to kyng 

25 Arthur afore hand, and told hym how his most enemy 
was taken and discomfyted. " By whome ? " said kynge 
Arthur. "By two knyghtes," said Merlyn, "that wold 
please your lordship, and to morowe ye shalle knowe 
what knyghtes they are." Anone after cam the knyght 

30 with the two swerdes, and Balan his broder, and brought 

^ Sic. ^ Read an. 



Chap. X.] KING RYONS A PRISONER. 63 

with hem kynge Ryons of Northwalys, and there delyverd 
hym to the porters, and charged hem with hym ; and soo 
they two retorned ageyne in the daunyng of the day. 

Kynge Arthur cam thenne to kyng Ryons and said, 
" Syr kynge, ye are welcome : by what aventure come ye 5 
hyder ? " " Syr," said kyng Ryons, "" I cam hyther by an 
hard aventure." " Who wanne yow ? " said kyng Arthur. 
'' Syre," said the kyng, " the knyght with the two swerdes 
and his broder, whiche are two merveillous knyghtes of 
prowesse." "I knowe hem not," sayd Arthur, "butio 
moche I am beholden to them." " A," said Merlyn, " I 
shal telle yow, it is Balen that encheved the swerd and 
his broder Balan a good knyght ; ther lyveth not a better 
of prowesse and of worthynesse, and it shal be the 
grettest dole of hym that ever I knewe of knyght, for he 15 
shalle not long endure." "Alias," saide kynge Arthur, 
"that is grete pyte, for I am moche beholdyng unto hym. 
and I have yll deserved it unto hym for his kyndenes." 
" Nay," said Merlyn, " he shal do moche more for yow, 
and that shal ye knowe in hast. But, syr, are ye 20 
purveyed?" said Merlyn, "for to morne the hooste of 
Nero, kynge Ryons broder, wille sette on yow or none 
with a grete boost, and therfor make yow redy. for I wyl 
departe from yow." 

Capttuluin X. 

Thenne kyng Arthur made redy his boost in x batails, 25 
and Nero was redy in the felde afore the castel Tarabil 
with a grete boost, and he had x batails, with many mo 
peple than Arthur had. Thenne Nero had the vaward 
with the moost party of his peple ; and Merlyn cam to 
kyng Lot of the Yle of Orkeney, and helde hym with a 30 
tale of prophecye til Nero and his peple were destroyed. 



64 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book II. 

And ther Syr Kay the sencyal dyd passyngly wel, that the 
dayes of his lyf the worship went never fro?« hym, and 
Sir Hervys de Revel did merveillous dedes with^ 
kynge Arthur, and kynge Arthur slewe that daye xx 
5 knyghtes and maymed xl. At that tyme cam in the 
kny^/^te with the two swerdys, and his broder Balan. 
But they two did so merveillously that the kynge and alle 
the knyghtes merveilled of them, and alle they that 
behelde them said they were sente from heven as aungels 

ID or devyls from helle ; and kynge Arthur said hym self 
they were the best knyghtes that ever he sawe, for they 
gaf suche strokes that all men had wo;2der of hem. In 
the meane whyle came one to kynge Lott and told hym, 
whyle he taryed there Nero was destroyed and slayne 

15 with al his peple. "Alias," sayd kynge Lot, "I am 
ashamed, for by my defaute ther is many a worshipful 
man slayne, for and we had ben to gyders there hadde 
ben none hooste under the heven that had ben abel for 
to have matched with us. This fayter with his prophecye 

20 hath mocked me." Al that dyd Merlyn, for he knewe 
wel that and kyng Lot had ben with his body there at the 
fyrst bataille, kynge Arthur had be slayne and alle his 
peple destroyed. And wel Merlyn knewe the one of the 
kynges shold be dede that day, and loth was Merlyn that 

25 ony of them both sholde be slayne. But of the tweyne 

he had lever kyng Lotte had be slayne than kynge Arthur. 

" Now, what is best to doo ? " sayd kyng Lot of Orke- 

ney, " whether is me better to treate with kynge Arthur 

or to fyghte, for the gretter party of oure peple are slayne 

30 and destroyed." " Syr," said a knyght, " set on Arthur, 
for they are wery and forfoughten, and we be fresshe." 
"As for me," sayd kyng Lot, "I wolde every knyght 
wolde do his parte as I wold do myn." And thenne they 

1 With repeated in Caxton's text. 



Chap. X.] DEATH OF KING LOT. 65 

avaunced baners and smoteii to gyders, and al to shevered 
their speres ; and Arthurs knyghtes, with the helpe of 
the knyght with two swerdes and his broder Balan, put 
kyng Lot and his boost to the werre.^ But alweyes kyng 
Lot helde hym in the formest frunte and dyd merveillous 5 
dedes of armes ; for alle his hooste was borne up by his 
handes, for he abode al knyghtes. Alias ! he myght not 
endure, the whiche was grete pyte that so worthy a knyyt^ 
as he was one shold be overmatched, that of late tyme 
afore hadde ben a knyght of kyng Arthurs, and wedded 10 
the sister of kyng Arthur. And for kyng Arthur lay by 
kyng Lots wyf, the whiche was Arthurs syster, and gat on 
her Mordred, therfor kyng Lot held aye;/st Arthur. So 
ther was a knyght that was called the knyghte with the 
straunge beeste, and at that tyme his r3'ght name was 15 
called Pellinore, the whiche was a good man of prowesse, 
and he smote a myghty stroke att kynge Lot as he fought 
with all his enemyes, and he fayled of his stroke, and 
smote the hors neck, that he fylle to the grounde with 
kyng Lot. And therwith anon Pellinore smote hym a 20 
grete stroke thorow the helme and hede unto the browes ; 
and thenne alle the hooste of Orkeney fled for the deth 
of kynge Lott, and there were slayn many moders sones. 
But kynge Pellinore bare the wytte of the deth of kynge 
Lot, wherfore Syr Gawayne revenged the deth of his 25 
fader the x yere after he was made knyght, and slewe 
kynge Pellinore with his owne handes. Also there were 
slayne at that bataille xij kynges on the syde of kyng Lot 
with Nero, and alle were buryed in the chirche of Saynt 
Stevyns in Camelot, and the remenaunt of knyghtes and 30 
of other were buryed in a grete roche. 

1 Read werse. ^ Sic. 



66 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book II. 

Capitulum i\. 

So at the enterement cam kynge Lots wyf Morgause 
with her foure sones, Gawayne, Agravayne, Gaherys, and 
Gareth. Also ther came thyder kyng Uryens Syr Ewayns 
fader and Morgan le Fay his wyf that was kyng Arthurs 
5 syster. Alle these cam to the enterement, but of alle 
these xij kynges kyng Arthur lete make the tombe of 
kynge Lot passyng rychely, and made his tombe by his 
owne. And thenne Arthur lete make xij ymages of laton 
and couper, and over gylt hit with gold in the sygne of 

lo xij kynges, and echon of hem helde a tapyr of wax that 
brent day and ny^'-/;t ; and kyng Arthur was made in sygne 
of a fygure standynge above hem with a swerd drawen in 
his hand, and alle the xij fygures had countenaunce lyke 
unto men that were overcome. All this made Merlyn by 

15 his subtyl crafte, and ther he told the kyng, " Wha;/ I am 
dede these tapers shalle brenne no lenger, and soone 
after the adventures of the Sangrayll shalle come among 
yow and be encheved." Also he told Arthur how Balyn 
the worshipful knyght shal gyve the dolourous stroke, 

20 wherof shalle falle grete vengeaunce. " O, where is Balen, 
and Balan, and Pellinore ? " saide kynge Arthur. " As 
for Pellinore," sayd Merlyn, " he wyl mete with yow soone ; 
and as for Balyn he wille not be longe from yow, but the 
other broder wil departe, ye shalle see hym no more." 

25 '' By my feyth," said Arthur, "they are two merveyllous 
knyghtes, and namely Balyn passeth of prowesse of ony 
knyghte that ever I found, for moche be holden I am 
unto hym ; wold God he wold abyde with me." " Syr," 
sayd Merlyn, " loke ye kepe wel the scaubard of Excalibur, 

30 for ye shalle lese no blood whyle ye have the scauberd 
upon yow, though ye have as many woundes upon yow as 
ye may have." 



Chap. XII.] THE SCABBARD OF EXCALIBUR. 67 

Soo after, for grete trust Arthur betoke the scauberd to 
Morgan le Fay his syster, and she loved another knyght 
better than her husband kynge Uryens or kynge Arthur, 
and she wold have had Arthur her broder slayne, and 
ther for she lete make another scauberd lyke it by 5 
enchaunteme^it, and gaf the scauberd Excalibur to her 
love. And the knyghtes name was called Accolon, that 
after had nere slayne kyng Arthur. After this Merlyn 
told unto kynge Arthur of the prophecye that there shold 
be a grete batail besyde Salysbury, and Mordred his owne lo 
sone sholde be ageynste hym. Also he tolde hym that 
Basdemegus was his cosyn, and germayn unto kynge 
Uryence. 

Capttulum i\\. 

Wythin a daye or two kynge Arthur was somewhat 
seke, and he lete pytche his pavelione in a medowe, and 15 
there he leyd hym doune on a paylet to slepe, but he 
myght have no rest. Ryght so he herd a grete noyse of 
an hors, and therwith the kynge loked oute at the porche 
of the pavelione, and sawe a knyght comynge even by 
hym makyng grete dole. " Abyde, fair syr," said Arthur, 20 
" and telle me wherfor thov/ makest this sorowe." " Ye 
maye lytel amend me," said the knyghte, and soo passed 
forthe to the castel of Melyot. Anone after ther cam 
Balen, and whan he sawe kynge Arthur he alyght of his 
hors, and cam to the kynge on foote, and sale wed hym. 25 
''By my hede," saide Arthur, "ye be welcome. Sire, 
ryght now cam rydynge this way a knyght makynge grete 
moorne, for what cause I can not telle ; wherfor I wold 
desyre of yow of your curtosye and of your gentylnesse 
to fetche ageyne that knyght eyther by force or els by his 3° 
good wil." " I wil do more for your lordship than that," 
said Balyn ; and so he rode more than a paas, and found 



68 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book II. 

the knyght with a damoysel in a forest, and said, " Sir 
kny^//t, ye must come with me unto kynge Arthur for to 
telle hym of your sorow." "That wille I not," sayd the 
knyghte, " for hit wylle scathe me gretely, and now do 
5 yow none avaylle." " Syr," sayd Balyn, '' I pray yow 
make yow redy, for ye must goo with me, or els I must 
fyghte with yow and brynge yow by force, and that were 
me loth to doo." "Wylle ye be my waraunt," said the 
knyght, " and I goo with yow ? " " Ye," saide Balyn, " or 

10 els 1 wylle deye therfore." And so he made hym redy 
to go with Balyn, and lefte the damoysel stylle. And as 
they were even afore kynge Arthurs pavelione there came 
one invysybel, and smote thys knyghte that wente with 
Balyn thorow oute the body wyth a spere. " Alias," sayd 

15 the knyght, "I am slayne under youre co;/duyt with a 
knyght called Garlon : therfor take my hors, that is better 
than yours, and ryde to the damoysel, and folowe the 
quest that I was in as she wylle lede yow, and revenge 
my deth whan ye may." "That shalle I doo," sayd 

20 Balyn, " and that I make vowe unto knyghthode," and so 
he departed from thys knyghte with grete sorowe. Soo 
kyng Arthur lete berye thys knyght rychely, and made a 
mensyon on his tombe how there was slayne Herlews le 
Berbeus, and by whome the trechery was done, the 

25 knyght Garlon. But ever the damoysel bare the truncheon 
of the spere with her that Syr Harlews was slayn with al. 

Capitulum inij. 

So Balyn and the damoysel rode in to a forest, and 

ther met with a knyght that had ben on huntynge, and 

that knyght asked Balyn for what cause he made so grete 

30 sorowe. " Me lyst not to telle yow," saide Balyn. 

" Now," saide the knyghte, " and I were armed as ye be, 



Chap. XII L] THE KNIGHT INVISIBLE. 69 

I wolde fyghte wyth yow." "That shold lytei nede," 
sayd Balyn; "I am not aferd to telle yow"; and told 
hym alle the cause how it was. "A," sayd the knyght, 
" is this al ? Here I ensure yow by the feithe of my body 
never to departe from yow whyle my lyf lasteth." And 5 
soo they wente to the hostry and armed hem, and so rode 
forth with Balyn. And as they came by an heremytage 
even by a chyrche yerd, ther cam the knyghte Garlon 
invysybel and smote thys knyghte, Peryn de Mounte- 
beliard, thurgh the body with a spere. " Alias," saide lo 
the knyghte, " I am slayne by this traytoure knyghte that 
rydeth invysyble." "Alias," said Balyn, "it is not the 
fyrst despyte he hath done me." And there the heremyte 
and Balyn beryed the knyght under a ryche stone and a 
tombe royal. And on the morne they fond letters of gold 15 
wryten, how Syr Gaweyn shalle revenge his faders deth, 
kynge Lot, on the kynge Pellinore. 

Anone after this Balyn and the damoysel rode tyl they 
came to a castel, and there Balyn alyghte ; and he and 
the damoysel wende to goo in to the castel. And anone 20 
as Balyn came within the castels yate the portecolys fylle 
doune at his bak, and there felle many men about the 
damoysel, and wold have slayne her. Whan Balyn sawe 
that, he was sore agreved, for he myghte not helpe the 
damoysel. Thanne he wente up in to the toure, and 25 
lepte over wallys in to the dyche, and hurte hym not; 
and anone he pulled oute his suerd and wold have 
fou^//ten with hem. And they all sayd nay, they wold 
not fyghte with hym, for they dyd no thyng but thold 
custome of the castel, and told hym how her lady was 30 
seke, and had layne many yeres, and she myghte not be 
hole but yf she had a dysshe of sylver ful of blood of a 
clene mayde and a kynges doughter; and therfore the 
custome of this castel is, there shalle no damoysel passe 



70 LE MORTE DANTHUR. [Book TI. 

this way but she shal blede of her blood in a sylver 
dysshe ful. "Wei," said Balyn, "she shal blede as 
moche as she may blede, but I wille not lese the lyf of 
her whyles my lyf lasteth." And soo Balyn made her to 
5 blede by her good will, but her blood halpe not the lady. 
And so he and she rested there al nyght, and had there 
ryght good chere, and on the morn they passed on their 
wayes. And as it telleth after in the Sangraylle that 
Syre Percyvalis syster halpe that lady with her blood, 
10 wherof she was dede. 



Capltulum iiitj, 

Thenne they rode thre or foure dayes and never mette 
with adventure, and by happe they were lodged with a 
gentyll man that was a ryche man and well at ease. And 
as they sat at her souper Balyn herd over complayne 

IS grevously by hym in a chayer. " What is this noyse ? " 
said Balen. "Forsothe," said his boost, "I wylle telle 
yow. I was but late att a justynge, and there I justed 
with a knyghte that is broder unto kynge Pellam, and 
twyes smote I hym doune ; and thenne he promysed to 

20 quyte me on my best frynde, and so he wounded my 
sone, that can not be hole tyll I have of that knyghtes 
blood, and he rydeth alwey invysyble, but I knowe not 
his name." " A," sayd Balyn, " I knowe that knyght, his 
name is Garlon, he hath slayne two knyghtes of myn in 

25 the same maner, therfor I had lever mete with that knyght 
than alle the gold in this realme, for the despyte he hath 
done me." "Wei," said his ooste, "I shalle telle yow, 
kynge Pellam of Lystyneyse hath made do crye in all this 
countrey a grete feest that shal be within these xx dayes, 

30 and no knyght may come ther but yf he brynge his wyf 
wyth hym or his peramour, and that kny^-^te, youre enemy 



Chap. XIV.] BALIN SLAYS GARLON. 



71 



and myn, ye shalle see that daye." " Thenne I behote 
yow," sayd Balyn, " parte of his blood to hele youre sone 
with alle." "We wille be forward to morne," sayd his 

oost. 

So on the morne they rode all thre toward Pellam, and 5 
they had xv dayes journey or they cam thyder; and that 
same day began the greete feeste. And soo they alyght 
and stabled theyr horses, and went in to the castel, but 
Balyns oost myght not be lete in by cause he had no 
lady. Thenne Balyn was wel receyved, and brought unto lo 
a chamber and unarmed hym, and there were brought 
hym robes to his pleasyr, and wold have had Balen leve 
his swerd behynde hym. " Nay," sayd Balen, "that doo 
1 not, for it is the customme of my countrey a knyghte 
alweyes to kepe his wepen with hym, and that customme 15 
wylle I kepe, or els I wyll departe as I cam." Thenne 
they gaf hym leve to were his swerd, and so he wente 
unto the castel, and was sette amonge knyghtes of 
worship, and his lady afore hym. Soone Balyn asked a 
knyght, " Is ther not a knyghte in this court whos name 20 
is Garlon?" "Yonder he goth," sayd a knyght, "he 
with the blak face ; he is the merveyllest kny^/^t that is 
now lyvyng, for he destroyeth many good knyghtes, for 
he goth invysyble." "A, wel," said Balen, ''is that he?" 
The^me Balyn avysed hym long : — " Yf I slee hym here 25 
I shall not scape, and yf I leve hym now peraventur I 
shalle never mete with hym ageyne at suche a Steven, 
and moche harme he wille doo and he lyve." Ther with 
this Garlon aspyed that this Balen behelde hym, and 
thenne he came and smote Balyn on the face with the 3° 
bak of his hand, and sayd. " Kny^^^y^t, why beholdest thow 
me so ? For shame ! therfor ete thy mete and doo that 
thow cam for." " Thow sayst sothe," said Balyn, " this is 
not the fyrst despyte that thow hast done me, and therfor 



72 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book II. 

I will doo that I cam for "; and rose up fyersly and clave 
his hede to the sholders. '' Gyve me the truncheon," 
sayd Balyn to his lady, " where with he slewe your 
knyghte." Anone she gaf it hym, for alwey she bare the 
5 troncheon with her. And therwith Balyn smote hym 
thurgh the body, and sayd openly, " With that truncheon 
thow hast slayn a good knyghte, and now it stycketh in 
thy body." And thenne Balyn called unto hym his hoost, 
sayenge, " Now may ye fetche blood ynough to hele your 
lo sone with all." 

Capttulum j\>, 

^ Anone all the knyghtes aroos from the tabyl for to set 
on Balyn, and kynge Pellam hym self aroos up fyersly, 
and sayd, " Kny^//t, hast thow slayn my broder } thow 
shalt dye therfor or thou departe." " Wei," said Balen, 

15 " do it your self." '' Yis," sayde kyng Pellaw, "ther shall 
no ma;^ have ado with the but my self for the love of my 
broder." Thenne kyng Pellam <z2MghX. in his hand a grym 
wepen and smote egrely at Balyn, but Balyn put his swerd 
betwixe his hede and the stroke, and therwith his swerd 

20 brest in sonder. And whan Balyn was wepenles he 
ranne in to a chamber for to seke somme wepen, and soo 
fro chamber to chamber, and no wepen he coude fynde, 
and alweyes kynge Pellam after hym. And at the last he 
entryd in to a chambyr that was merveillously wel dy^//te 

25 and rychely, and a bedde arayed with clothe of gold, the 
rychest that myghte be thought, and one lyenge theryn ; 
and therby stode a table of clene gold with four pelours 
of sylver that bare up the table, and upon the table stood 
a merveillous spere straungely wrought. And whan Balyn 

30 sawe that spere he gat it in his hand, and torned hym to 
k3mg Pellam, and smote hym passyngly sore with that 



Chap. XVI.] THE DOLOROUS STROKE. 73 

spere, that kynge Pellam felle doune in a swoune ; and 
therwith the castel roofe and wallys brake and fylle to the 
erthe, and Balyn felle doune so that he myghte not stere 
foote nor hand. And so the moost parte of the castel 
that was falle doune thorugh that dolorous stroke laye 5 
upon Pellam and Balyn thre dayes. 

Capitulum i\>\. 

Thenne Merlyn cam thyder and toke up Balyn and 
gat hym a good hors, for his was dede, and bad hym ryde 
oute of that countrey. " I wold have my damoysel," sayd 
Balyn. " Loo," sayd Merlyn, " where she lyeth dede." lo 
And kynge Pellam lay so many yeres sore wounded, and 
myght never be hole tyl Galahad, the haute prynce, heled 
hym in the quest of the Sangraille ; for in that place was 
part of the blood of our Lord Jhesu Cryst that Joseph of 
Armathe broughte in to this lond, and ther hym self lay 15 
in that ryche bed. And that was the same spere that 
Longeus smote oure Lorde to the herte ; and kynge 
Pellam was nyghe of Joseph kynne, and that was the 
moost worshipful man that lyved in tho dayes, and grete 
pyte it was of his hurte, for thorow that stroke torned to 20 
grete dole, tray, and tene. 

Thenne departed Balyn from Merlyn and sayd, " In 
this world we mete never nomore." Soo he rode forth 
thorowe the fayr countreyes and cytees, and fond the 
peple dede, slayne on every syde. And alle that were on 25 
lyve cryed, " O Balyn, thow hast caused grete dommage 
in these co/ztrayes for the dolorous stroke thow gavest 
unto kynge Pella;;/ ; thre countreyes are destroyed, and 
doubte not but the vengeaunce wil falle on the at the 
last." Whanne Balyn was past tho contrayes he was 30 
passyng fayne. So he rode ey^//t dayes or he met with 



74 LE MORTE D ARTHUR, [Book II. 

aventure. And at the last he came in to a fayr forest in 
a valey, and was ware of a toure. And there besyde he 
sawe a grete hors of werre tayed to a treee, and ther 
besyde satte a fayr knyght on the ground and made grete 
5 mornynge, and he was a lykely man and a wel made. 
Balyn sayd, " God save yow, why be ye so hevy ? telle me 
and I wylle amende it, and I may to my power." " Syr 
knyghte," said he ageyne, " thow doest me grete gryef, 
for I was in mery thoughtes, and now thou pattest me to 

10 more payne." Balyn wente a lytel from hym, and loked 
on his hors ; thenne herd Balyn hym saye thus : '' A, 
fair lady, why have ye broken my promyse ? for thow 
promysest me to mete me here by none, and I maye curse 
the that ever ye gaf me this swerd, for with this swerd I 

15 slee my self," and pulled it oute ; and therwith Balyn 
sterte unto hym and took hym by the hand. " Lete goo 
my hand," sayd the knyght, "or els I shal slee the." 
"That shal not nede," said Balyn, "for I shal promyse 
yow my helpe to gete yow your lady, and ye wille telle me 

20 where she is." " What is your name ? " sayd the knyght. 
" Myn name is Balyn le Saveage." " A, syr, I knowe 
yow wel ynough ; ye are the knyght with the two swerdys, 
and the man of moost prowesse of your handes lyvyng." 
"What is your name .? " sayd Balen. " My name is 

25 Garnysshe of the Mount, a poure mans sone, but by my 
prowesse and hardynesse a duke hath maade me knyght, 
and gaf me landes : his name is duke Hermel, and his 
doughter is she that I love, and she me as I demed." 
" Hou fer is she hens.?" sayd Balyn. "But xj myle," 

30 said the knyghte. " Now ryde we hens," sayde these two 
knyghtes. So they rode more than a paas tyll that they 
cam to a fayr castel, wel wallyd and dyched. " I wylle in 
to the castel," sayd Balen, " and loke yf she be ther." 
Soo he wente in and serched fro chamber to cha;wbir, and 



Chap. XVII.] THE FAITHLESS LADY. 75 

fond her bedde, but she was not there. Thenne Balen 
loked in to a fayr Util gardyn, and under a laurel tre he 
sawe her lye upon a quylt of grene samyte, and a knyght 
in her amies, fast halsynge eyther other, and under their 
hedes grasse and herbes. Whan Balen sawe her lye so 5 
with the fowlest knyghte that ever he sawe, and she a fair 
lady, thenne Balyn wente thurgh alle the chambers 
ageyne, and told the knyghte how he fond her as she 
had slepte fast, and so brought hym in the place there 
she lay fast slepynge. i° 

Capttulum ^v>ij. 

And whan Garnyssh beheld hir so lyeng, for pure sorou 
his mouth and nose brast oute on bledynge, and with his 
swerd he smote of bothe their hedes, and thenne he 
maade sorowe oute of mesure, and sayd, " O Balyn, 
moche sorow hast thow brought unto me, for haddest 15 
thow not shewed me that syght I shold have passed my 
sorow." " Forsoth," said Balyn, " I did it to this entent 
that it sholde better thy courage, and that ye myght see 
and knowe her falshede, and to cause yow to leve love of 
suche a lady : God knoweth I dyd none other but as I 20 
wold ye dyd to me." " Alias ! " said Garnysshe, " now is 
my sorou doubel that I may not endure. Now have I 
slayne that I moost loved in al mylyf"; and therwith 
sodenly he roofe hym self on his own swerd unto the 
hyltys. When Balen sawe that, he dressid hym thens 25 
ward, lest folke wold say he had slayne them, and so he 
rode forth. And within thre dayes he cam by a crosse, 
and theron were letters of gold wryte;^ that said : " It is 
not for no knyght alone to ryde toward this castel." 
The;2ne sawe he an old hore gentylman comyng toward 30 
hym that sayd, " Balyn le Saveage, thow passyst thy 



76 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book II. 

bandes .to come this waye, therfor torne ageyne and it 
will availle the." And he vanysshed awey anone ; and 
soo he herd an home blowe as it had ben the dethe of a 
best. " That blast," said Balyn, " is blowen for me, for 

5 I am the pryse and yet am 1 not dede." Anone with al 
he sawe an hondred ladyes and many knyghtes that 
welcommed hym with fayr semblaunt, and made hym 
passyng good chere unto his syght, and ledde hym in to 
the castel, and ther was damisynge and mynstralsye and 

10 alle maner of joye. Thenne the chyef lady of the castel 
said, " Knyghte with the two suerdys, ye must have adoo 
and juste with a knyght hereby that kepeth an iland, for 
ther may no man passe this way but he must juste or he 
passe." " That is an unhappy customme," said Balyn, 

15 "that a knyght may not passe this wey but yf he juste." 
"Ye shalle not have adoo but with one knyghte," sayd 
the lady. " Wei," sayd Balyn, " syn I shalle, therto I am 
redy, but traveillynge men are ofte wery, and their horses 
to ; but though my hors be wery, my hert is not wery. I 

20 wold be fayne ther my deth shold be." " Syr," said a 
knyght to Balyn, " me thynketh your sheld is not good, I 
wille lene yew a byggar ; therof I pray yow." And so he 
tooke the sheld that was unknowen and lefte his owne, 
and so rode unto the iland, and put hym and his hors in 

25 a grete boote. And whan he came on the other syde he 
met with a damoysel, and she said, " O knyght Balyn, 
why have ye lefte your owne sheld ? alias ! ye have put 
your self in grete daunger, for by your sheld ye shold 
have ben knowen : it is grete pyte of yow as ever was of 

30 knyght, for of thy prowesse and hardynes thou hast no 
felawe lyvynge." " Me repenteth," said Balyn, " that ever 
I cam within this countrey, but I maye not torne now 
ageyne for shame, and what aventure shalle falle to me, 
be it lyf or dethe, I wille take the adventure that shalle 



Chap. XVIIL] BALIN FIGHTS WITH BALAN. 77 

come to me." And thenne he loked on his armour, and 
understood he was wel armed, and therwith blessid hym 
and mounted upon his hors. 

Capttulum vo\\\. 

Thenne afore hym he sawe come rydynge oute of a 
castel a knyght, and his hors trapped all reed, and hym 5 
self in the same colour. Whan this knyghte in the reed 
beheld Balyn, hym thought it shold bee his broder Balen 
by cause of his two swerdys, but by cause he knewe not 
his sheld he demed it was not he. And so they aventryd 
theyr speres and came merveillously fast to gyders, and 10 
they smote other in the sheldes, but theire speres and 
theire cours were soo bygge that it bare doune hors and 
man, that they lay bothe in a swoun. But Balyn was 
brysed sore with the falle of his hors, for he was wery of 
travaille. And Balan was the fyrst that rose on foote, 15 
and drewe his swerd and wente toward Balyn, and he 
aroos and wente ageynst hym. But Balan smote Balyn 
fyrste, and he put up his shelde and smote hym thorow 
the shelde and tamyd his helme. Thenne Balyn smote 
hym ageyne with that unhappy swerd, and wel nyghe had 20 
fellyd his broder Balan, and so they fought ther to gyders 
tyl theyr brethes faylled. Thenne Balyn loked up to the 
castel, and sawe the towres stand ful of ladyes. Soo they 
went unto bataille ageyne, and wounded everyche other 
dolefully, and thenne they brethed oftymes, and so wente 25 
unto bataille, that alle the place there as they fought was 
blood reed. And att that tyme ther was none of them 
bothe but they hadde eyther smyten other seven grete 
woundes, so that the lest of them my^//t have ben the 
dethe of the myghtyest gyaunt in this world. Thenne 30 
they wente to batail ageyn so merveillously that doubte it 



78 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book II. 

was to here of that bataiile for the grete blood shedynge. 
And their hawberkes unnailled, that naked they were on 
every syde. Atte last Balan, the yonger broder, with- 
drewe hym a lytel and leid hym doune. Thenne said 

5 Balyn le Saveage, " What knyghte arte thow ? for or now 
I found never no kny^/zt that matched me." " My name 
is," said he, " Balan, broder unto the good knyght Balyn." 
"Alias!" sayd Balyn, "that ever I shold see this day"; 
and therwith he felle backward in a swoune. Thenne 

10 Balan yede on al four, feet and handes, and put of the 
helme of his broder, and myght not knowe hym by the 
vysage, it was so ful hewen and bledde ; but whan he 
awoke he sayd, " O Balan, my broder, thow hast slayne 
me and I the, wherfore alle the wyde world shalle speke 

15 of us bothe." "Alias!" sayd Balan, "that ever I sawe 
this day, that thorow myshap I myght not knowe yow ; 
for I aspyed wel your two swerdys, but by cause ye had 
another shild I denied ye had ben another kny^/zt." 
" Alias ! " saide Balyn, " all that maade an unhappy 

20 knyght in the castel, for he caused me to leve myn owne 
shelde to our bothes destruction, and yf I m^ghX lyve I 
wold destroye that castel for ylle customes." "That 
were wel done," said Balan, "for I had never grace to 
departe fro hem syn that I cam hyther; for here it 

25 happed me to slee a kn3^ght that kepte this iland, and 
syn myght I never departe, and nomore shold ye, broder, 
and ye myght have slayne me as ye have, and escaped 
your self with the lyf." Ryght so cam the lady of the 
toure with iiij knyghtes and vj ladyes and vj yomen unto 

30 them, and there she herd how they made her mone eyther 
to other, and sayd, " We came bothe oute of one tombe, 
that is to say, one moders bely, and so shalle we lye 
bothe in one pytte." So Balan prayd the lady of her 
gentylnesse for his true servyse that she wold burye them 



Chaf. XIX.] BALIN AND BALAN SLAIN. 79 

bothe in that same place there the bataille was done ; 
and she graunted hem with wepynge it shold be done 
rychely in the best maner. " Now wiUe ye sende for a 
preest that we may receyve our sacrament and receyve 
the blessid body of our Lord Jhesu Cryst ? " '' Ye," said 5 
the lady, " it shalle be done." And so she sente for a 
preest and gaf hem her ryghtes. "Now," sayd Balen, 
" whan we are buryed in one tombe, and the mensyon 
made over us how ij bretheren slewe eche other, there 
wille never good knyght nor good man see our tombe but 10 
they wille pray for our soules." And so alle the ladyes 
and gentylwymen wepte for pyte. Thenne anone Balan 
dyed, but Balyn dyed not tyl the mydnyghte after. And 
so were they buryed bothe, and the lady lete make a 
mensyon of Balan how he w^as ther slayne by his broders 15 
handes, but she knewe not Balyns name. 

Capitulum jtj. 

In the morne cam Merlyn and lete wryte Balyns name 
on the tombe with letters of gold that, " Here lyeth Balyn 
le Saveage, that was the \xvjght with the two swerdes, 
and he that smote the dolorous stroke." Also Merlyn 20 
lete make there a bedde, that ther shold never man lye 
therin but he wente oute of his wytte, yet Launcelot de 
Lake fordyd that bed thorow his noblesse. And anone 
after Balyn was dede, Merlyn toke his swerd and toke of 
the pomel, and set on an other pomel. So Merlyn bad a 25 
knyght that stode afore hym handeld^ that swerd, and he 
assayed, and he myght not handle hit. Thenne Merlyn 
lough. "Why laugh ye?" said the knyghte. "This is 
the cause," said Merlyn, " ther shalle never man handle 
this suerd but the best knyght of the world, and that 30 

1 Read handle. 



so LE MORTE D ARTHUR. 

shalle be Syr Launcelot or els Galahad his sone ; and 
Launcelot with this suerd shalle slee the man that in the 
world he loved best, that shalle be Syr Gawayne." Alle 
this he lete wryte in the pomel of the swerd. 
5 Thenne Merlyn lete make a brydge of yron and of stele 
in to that iland, and it was but half a foote brode, and 
there shalle never man passe that brydge nor have 
hardynes to goo over but yf he were a passyng good man 
and a good knyght, withoute trechery or vylonye. Also 

10 the scaubard of Balyns swerd, Merlyn lefte it on this syde 
of the iland that Galahad shold fynde it. Also Merlyn 
lete make by his subtylyte that Balyns swerd was put in 
a marbel stone standyng up ryght as grete as a mylle 
stone, and the stone hoved al weyes above the water, and 

15 dyd many yeres, and so by adve;2ture it swam doun the 
streme to the cyte of Camelot, that is in Englysshe 
Wynchestre, and that same day Galahad the haute 
prynce came with kyng Arthur, and soo Galahad broughte 
wyth hym the scaubard, and encheved the swerde that 

20 was there in the marbel stone, hovynge upon the water. 
And on Whytsonday he encheved the swerd, as it is 
reherced in the book of Sa^cgrayll, Soone after this 
was done Merlyn came to kyng Arthur and told hym of 
the dolorous stroke that Balyn gaf to kyng Pellam, and 

25 how Balyn and Balan foughte to gyders the merveillous 
batail that ever was herd of, and how they were buryed 
bothe in one tombe. " Alias ! " said kyng Arthur, " this 
is the grettest pyte that over I herd telle of two kny^//tes, 
for in the world I knowe not suche two knyghtes." Thus 

30 endeth the tale of Balyn and of Balan, two bretheren 
born in Northu;A/berla;/d, good kni^-^tes. 



THE TALE OF THE SANCGREAL. 81 

Hn& bere tolowetb tbe noble tale of tbe 
Sancgreal tbat calle^ is tbe boolp v^essel 
an^ tbe sp^neti^cac^on of tbe blessib bloo& 
of our lorC) Jbesu Cr^ste/blessit) mote it be/ 
tbe wbtcbe was brougbt In to tbis lanb b^ 
Josepb of Hrmatb^e/tberfor ow al sinful 
souls blessib lort) ba\?e tbou mercp. 



Bjpllcit liber jij 

Bt inctpit H)ecimusterctus 

Capitulum prlmum. 

At the Vygyl of Pentecost, whan alle the felauship of 
the Round Table were comen unto Camelot, and there 
herd their servyse, and the tables were set redy to the 
mete, xyghte. so entryd in to the halle a ful fayre gentyl- 
5 woman on horsbak, that had ryden ful fast, for her hors 
was al besuette. Thenne she there alyght, and came 
before the kynge, and salewed hym ; and he said, 
" Damoysel, God the blysse." '' Sire," said she, '' for 
Goddes sake saye me where Syr Launcelot is." "Yonder 

lo ye may see hym," said the kynge. Thenne she wente 
unto Launcelot and said, " Syr Launcelot, I salewe yow 
on kyng Pelles behalf, and I requyre yow come on with 
me here by in to a forest." Thenne Syr Launcelot asked 
her with whome she dwelled. " I dwelle," said she, 

15 "with kynge Pelles." "What wille ye with me.?" said 
Launcelot. "Ye shal knowe," said she, " whanne ye 
come thyder." " Wei," sayd he, " I wille gladly goo with 
yow." So Syr Launcelot badde his squyer sadel his hors 
and brynge his armes, and in all hast he dyd his com- 

20 maundement. Thenne came the quene unto Lau/zcelot 
and said, " Wille ye leve us at this hyhe feest ? " 
" Madame," said the gentylwoman, " wete ye wel he shal 
be with yow to morn by dyner tyme." " Yf I wyst," said 

■ the quene, " that he shold not be with us here to morne, 

25 he shold not goo with you by my good wylle." 

Ryght soo departed Sir Launcelot with the gentyl- 
woman, and rode untyl that he came in to a foreste, and 
in to a grete valey, where they sawe an abbay of nonnes. 



LAUNCELOT KNIGHTS GALAHAD. 83 

and there was a squyer redy, and opened the gates ; and 
soo they entryd and descended of their horses. And 
there came a fayr felauship aboute Sir Lau;2celot, and 
welcomed hym, and were passyng gladde of his comynge. 
And thenne they ladde hym unto the abbesse chamber, 5 
and unarmed hym, and ryght soo he was ware upon a bed 
lyeng two of his cosyns, Syr Bors and Sir Lyonel, and 
thenne he waked them, and whanne they sawe hym they 
mad grete joye. " Syr," said Syre Bors unto Syr 
Launcelot, " what adventure hath brought yow hydder ? 10 
for we wende to morne to have fond you at Camelot." 
" As God me help," said Syr Launcelot, " a gentylwoman 
brought me hyther, but I knowe not the cause." 

In the meane whyle that they thus stode talkynge to 
gyder, therin came twelve nonnes that broughte with hem 15 
Galahad, the whiche was passynge fayre and wel made, 
that unneth in the world men myghte not fynde his 
matche ; and alle tho ladyes wepte. " Sire," sayd they 
alle, " we brynge yow here thys child, the whiche we 
have nourisshed, and we praye yow to make hym a 20 
knyght, for of a more worthyer mans hande may he not 
receyve the ordre of knyghthode." Sir Launcelot beheld 
the yonge squyer, and sawe hym semely and demure as a 
douve, with alle maner of good fetures, that he wende of 
his age never to have sene soo fayre a man of forme. 25 
Thenne said Sir Launcelot, " Cometh this desyre of hym 
self ? " He and alle they sayd, " Ye." " Thenne shalle 
he," sayd Sir Launcelot, " receyve the hyghe ordre of 
knyghthode as to morne atte reverence of the hyghe 
feeste." That nyght Syr Launcelot had passyng good 30 
chere ; and on the morne at the houre of pryme, att 
Galahalts desyre, he made hym Vn-^ghX.^ and said, " God 
make hym a good man, for of beaute fayleth yow not as 
ony that lyveth." 



84 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XIIT. 



Capttulum Secundum, 

"Now, fayre syr," said Syr Launcelot, " wille ye come 
wyth me unto the courte of kynge Arthur?" "Nay," 
sayd he, " I wille not goo with yow as at this tyme." 
Thenne he departed fro them, and took his two cosyns 
5 with hym, and so they cam unto Camelot by the houre of 
undorn on Whytsonday. By that tyme the kynge and 
the quene were gone to the mynster to here their servyse. 
Thenne the kynge and the quene were passyng gladde of 
Sir Bors and Syr Lyonel, and soo was alle the felauship. 

ID So when the kyng and all the kny^/^tes were come from 
servyse, the barons aspyed in the syeges of the Round 
Table al aboute wryten with golden letters, " Here owgJA 
to sytte he, and he oughte to sytte here." And thus they 
wente soo longe tylle that they came to the Sege Perillous, 

15 where they fond letters newely wreton of gold whiche 
said : " iiij C wynters and liiij accomplysshed after the 
passion of oure Lord Jhesu Criste ou^V/te this sege to be 
fulfylled." Thenne alle they said, "This is a merveyllous 
thynge and an adventurous." " In the name of God," 

20 said Syr Launcelot, and thenne accompted the terme of 
the wrytynge from the byrthe of oure Lord unto that day. 
"It semeth me," saith Syr Launcelot, "this sege oughte 
to be fulfylled this same day, for this is the feest of 
Pentecost after the four honderd and four and fyfty yere ; 

25 and yf it wold please all partyes I wold none of these 
letters were sene tliis daye tyl he be come that oughte to 
encheve this adventure." Thenne maade they to ordeyne 
a clothe of sylke for to cover these letters in the Sege 
Peryllous. Thenne the kyng badde haste unto dyner. 

30 " Sire," sayd Sir Kay the steward, " yf ye goo now unto 
your mete ye shalle breke your old customme of your 



Chap. II.] THE SWORD IN THE STONE. 85 

courte ; for ye have not used on this day to sytte at your 
mete or that ye have sene som adventure."' " Ye say 
sothe," said the kynge, "but I had soo grete joye of Sir 
Launcelot and of his cosyns, whiche be come to the 
courte hole and sound, so that I bethoughte me not of 5 
myne old customme." 

Soo as they stode spekyng, in cam a squyer, and said 
unto the kyng, " Sire, I brynge unto yow merveillous 
tydynges." " What be they ? " said the kyng. " Sir, 
there is here bynethe at the ryver a grete stone whiche I 10 
sawe fiete above the water, and therin I sawe styckyng a 
swerd." The kynge sayde, " I wille see that merveill." 
Soo all the knyghtes went with hym. And whanne they 
came unto the ryver they fonde there a stone fletyng, as 
hit were of reed marhel,^ and therin stack a fair ryche 15 
swerd, and in the pomel therof were precyous stones 
wrought with subtyle letters of gold. Thenne the barons 
redde the letters, whiche said in this wyse : '' Never shalle 
man take me hens but only he by whos syde I ought to 
hange, and he shalle be the best knyght of the world." 20 
Whanne the kynge had sene the letters he said unto Sir 
Launcelot, " Fair sire, this suerd ought to be yours, for I 
am sure ye be the best knyght of the world." Thenne 
Syr Launcelot ansuerd ful soberly, " Certes, sir, it is not 
my .swerde ; also, sir, wete ye wel I have no hardynes to 25 
sett my hande to, for hit longed not to hange by my syde. 
Also who that assayeth to take the swerd and fayleth of 
hit, he shalle receyve a wound by that swerd that he 
shalle not be hole longe after. And I wille that ye wete 
that this same day shall the adventures of the Sancgreal, 30 
that is called the hooly vessel, begynne." 

Read fnarbel. 



86 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XTH. 



Capttulum \\\. 

" Now, fayre nevewe," said the kynge unto Syr Gawayn, 
" assaye ye for my love." "Sir," he said, " sauf your 
good grace, 1 shalle not doo that." " Sir," sayd the 
kynge, " assaye to take the suerd and at my commaunde- 
5 ment." " Syre," sayd Gawayne, "your commaundement 
I wille obeye"; and ther with he took up the suerd by 
the handels, but he myghte not stere hit. " I thanke 
yow," said the kynge to Syre Gawayne. " My lord Syr 
Gawayne," said Syr Lau;^celot, " now wete ye wel, this 

10 swerd shalle touche yow soo sore, that ye shalle wylle ye 
had never sette your hand therto for the best castel of 
this realme." " Syr," he sayd, " 1 myghte not withsay 
myn unkels wyll and commaundement." But whanne 
the kynge herd this, he repented hit moche, and said 

15 unto Syr Percy val that he shold assaye for his love; and 
he said, " Gladly, for to bere Syr Gawayn felaushyp." 
And there with he sette his hand on the swerd and drewe 
hit strongly, but he myghte not meve hit. Thenne were 
there moo that durste be soo hardy to sette theire handes 

20 therto. " Now maye ye goo to your dyner," said Syr Kay 
unto the kynge, "for a merveillous adventure have ye 
sene." 

Soo the kynge and alle wente unto the courte, and 
every knyghte knewe his owne place, and sette hym 

25 therin, and yonge men that were knyghtes served them. 
Soo whan they were served, and alle seges fulfylled sauf 
only the Syege Perillous, anon there befelle a merveillous 
adventure, that alle the dores and wyndowes of the palays 
shut by them self. Not for thenne the halle was not 

30 gretely darked, and there with they abasshed both one 
and other. Thenne kynge Arthur spak fyrst, and sayd. 



Chap. IV.] THE SEAT PERILOUS. 87 

" By God, fayre felawes and lordes, we have sene this 
daye merveyls, but or nyght I suppose we shal see gretter 
merveyls." In the meane whyle came in a good old 
man, and an auncyent, clothed al in whyte, and there 
was no kny^/^t knewe from whens he came. And with 5 
hym he broughte a yong kny^/^t, bothe on foote, in reed 
armes, withoute swerd or sheld, sauf a scauberd hangynge 
by his syde. And these wordes he said, " Pees be with 
yow, faire lordes." Thenne the old man sayd unto 
Arthur, " Syre, I brynge here a yonge knyghte the whiche 10 
is of kynges lygnage and of the kynrede of Joseph of 
Abarimathye,^ where by the merveylles of thys courte and 
of straunge realmes shalle be fully accomplysshed." 

Capltulum (Siuartum, 

The kynge was ryghte gladde of his wordes, and said 
unto the good man, " Syr, ye be ryghte welcome, and the 15 
yonge kny^/^te with yow." Thenne the old man made 
the yong man to unarme hym ; and he was in a cote of 
reed sendel, and bare a mantel upon his sholder that was 
furred with ermyn, and put that upon hym. And the old 
knyghte sayd unto the yonge knyght, " Syr, foloweth me." 20 
And anone he ledde hym unto the Sege Peryllous, where 
besyde sat Syr Lau??celot, and the good man lyfte up the 
clothe, and fonde there letters that said thus : " This is 
the sege of Galahalt the haute prynce." '' Sir," said 
thold knyghte, " wete ye wel that place is yours." And 25 
thenne he sett hym doune surely in that syege. And 
thenne he sayd to the old man, " Syr, ye maye now goo 
your way, for wel have ye done that ye were commaunded 
to doo ; and recommaunde me unto my graunt sir kynge 
Pelles, and unto my lord Petchere, and say hem on my 30 

' Read Annathye. 



88 LE MO RTF D ARTHUR. [Book XTII. 

behalf, I shalle come and see hem as soone as ever I 
may/' Soo the good man departed, and there met hym 
XX noble squyers, and so took their horses and wente 
their way. Thenne alle the knyghtes of the Table Round 
5 merveylled gretely of Sir Galahalt that he durst sytte 
there in that Syege Perillous, and was soo tendyr of age, 
and wist not from whens he came, but al only by God, 
and said, " This he by whome the Sa;^cgreal shal be 
encheved, for there sat never none but he^ were mes- 

10 cheved." Thenne Syr Launcelot beheld his sone, and 
had grete joye of hym. Thenne Bors told his felawes, 
" Upon payne of my lyf this yonge knyghte shalle come 
unto grete worship." 

This noyse was grete in alle the courte, soo that it cam 

15 to the queue. Thenne she had merveylle what knyght it 
myght be that durste aventure hym to sytte in the Syege 
Peryllous. Many said unto the queue, he resembled 
moche unto Sire Launcelot. " I may wel suppose," said 
the queue, " that Syr Launcelot begatte hym on kynge 

20 Pelles doughter, by the whiche he was made to lye by, by 
enchauntement, and his name is Galahalt. I wold fayne 
see hym," said the queue, "for he must nedes be a noble 
man, for soo is his fader that hym begat ; I reporte me 
unto alle the Table Round." So whanne the mete was 

25 done, that the kynge and alle were rysen, the kynge yede 
unto the Syege Peryllous and lyfte up the clothe, and 
fonde there the name of Galahad, and thenne he shewed 
hit unto Syr Gawayne, and sayd, " Fayre nevewe, now 
have we amonge us Syr Galahad, the good knyght that 

30 shalle worshippe us alle, and upon payne of my lyf he 
shal encheve the Sancgreal, ryght as Sir Launcelot had 
done us to understande." Thenne came kyng Arthur 
unto Galahad and said, " Syr, ye be welcome, for ye shall 

1 Caxton repeats but he. Cf. note. 



Chap. V.] GALAHAD AND THE SWORD. 89 

meve many good knyghtes to the quest of the Sancgreal, 
aad ye shal encheve that never knyghtes myght brynge 
to an ende." Thenne the kynge took hym by the hand, 
and wente doune from the paleis to shewe Galahad the 
adventures of the stone. 5 

Capttulum \?, 

The quene herd therof, and came after with many 
ladyes, and shewed hem the stone where it hoved on the 
water. " Sire," said the kyng unto Syre Galahad, '' here 
is a grete merveylle as ever I sawe, and ryght good 
knyghtes have assayed and fayled." " Syre," said 10 
Galahad, " that is no merveil, for this adventure is not 
theirs, but myne, and for the seurte of this swerd I 
brought none with me ; for here by my syde hangeth the 
scauberd," And anone he layd his hand on the swerd, 
and lyghtly drewe it oute of the stone, and putte it in the 15 
shethe, and said unto the kynge, " Now hit goth better 
than hit dyd afore hand." "Sir," said the kynge, "a 
sheld God shalle send you." " Now have I that swerd that 
somtyme was the good knyghtes Balyn le Saveage, and 
he was a passynge good man of his handes. And with 20 
this suerd he slewe his broder Balan, and that was grete 
pyte, for he was a good knyghte, and eyther slewe other 
thorou a dolorous stroke that Balyn gaf unto my grau;2te 
fader kynge Pelles. the whiche is not yet hole, nor not 
shal be tyl I hele hym." 25 

There with the kynge and all aspyed where came 
rydynge doune the ryver a lady on a whyte palfroy 
toward them, Thenne she salewed the kynge and the 
quene, and asked yf that Syr Launcelot was there. And 
thenne he ansuerd hym self, " I am here, fayre lady." 30 
Thenne she sayd al with wepynge, '' How your grete 



90 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

doynge is chaunged syth this day in the morne." 
" Damoysel, why say ye soo ? " sayd Launcelot. " I saye 
yow sothe," said the damoysel, "for ye were this day the 
best knyghte of the world, but who shold saye soo now he 
5 shold be a lyar, for there is now one better than ye. And 
wel hit is preved by the adventurrs^ of the suerd where to 
ye durste not sette to your hand, and that is the chaunge 
and levynge of your name ; wherfore I make unto yow a 
remembraunce, that ye shalle not wene from hensforth 

10 that ye be the best knyght of the world." "As touchynge 
unto that," said Launcelot, " I knowe wel I was never the 
best." "Yes," sayd the damoysel, "that were ye and are 
yet of ony synful man of the world. And, sir kyng, 
Nacyen the heremyte sendeth the word that the shalle 

15 befalle the grettest worship that ever befelle kynge in 
Brytayne, and I say yow wherfore ; for this daye the 
Sancgreal appiered in thy hows, and fedde the and all 
thy felaushyp of the Round Table." Soo she departed 
and wente that same way that she came. 

(Tapttulum \?j, 

20 " Now," sayd the kyng, " I am sure at this quest of the 
Sa/^cgreal shalle alle ye of the Table Rounde departe, and 
never shalle I see yow ageyne hole to gyders ; therfor I 
wille see yow alle hole to gyders in the medowe of 
Camelot, to juste and to torneye, that after your dethe 

15 men maye speke of hit, that suche good knyghtes were 
holy to gyders suche a day." As unto that counceyll 
and at the kynges request they accorded alle, and toke 
on their harneis that longed unto justynge, but alle this 
mevynge of the kyng was for this entent, for to see 

30 Galahalt preved ; for the kynge demed he shold not 

1 Stc. 



Chap. VII.] GALAHAD AND THE QUEEN. 91 

lyghtly come ageyne unto the courte after his departynge. 
So were they assembled in the medowe bothe more and 
lasse. Thenne Syr Galahalt, by the prayer of the kynge 
and the quene, dyd upon hym a noble jesseraunce, and 
also he dyd on hys helme, but shelde wold he take none 5 
for no prayer of the kyng. And thenne Sir Gawayne 
and other knyghtes praid hym to take a spere. Ryghte 
soo he dyd ; and the quene was in a toure with alle her 
ladyes for to behold that turnement. Thenne Sir Gala- 
halt dressid hym in myddes of the medowe, and began to 10 
breke speres merveyllously, that all men had wonder of 
hym, for he there surmounted alle other kny^/^tes; for 
within a whyle he had defouled many good knyghtes of 
the Table Round, sauf tweyne, that was Syr Launcelot 
and Sire Percyvale. 15 

Capttulum \>\\. 

Thenne the kyng, at the quenes request, made hym to 
alyghte and to unlace his helme, that the quene nx^ghX. 
see hym in the vysage. Whanne she beheld hym she 
sayd, '' Sothely, 1 dar wel say that Sir Launcelot begat 
hym, for never two men resembled more in lykenes, 20 
therfor it nys no merveyle though he be of grete 
prowesse." So a lady that stode by the quene said, 
" Madame, for Goddes sake oughte he of ryghte to be so 
good a knyghte ? " " Ye, forsothe," said the quene, " for 
he is of alle partyes come of the best knyghtes of the 25 
world, and of the hyhest lygnage, for Sir Launcelot is 
come but of the viij degre from oure Lord Jhesu Cryst, 
and Syre Galahalt is of the nynthe degree from oure 
Lord Jhesu Cryst ; therfor I dar saye they be the grettest 
gentilmen of the world.'' 30 

And thenne the kynge and al estates wente home unto 



92 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

Camelot, and soo wente to evensonge to the grete mynster ; 
and soo after upon that to souper, and every kny^/^t sette 
in his owne place as they were to fore hand. Thenne 
anone they herd crakynge and cryenge of thonder that 
5 hem thought the place shold alle to dryve. In the 
myddes of this blast entred a sonne beaume more clerer 
by seven tymes than ever they sawe daye, and al they 
were alyghted of the grace of the Holy Ghoost. Thenne 
beganne every knyghte to behold other, and eyther sawe 

10 other by theire semynge fayrer than ever they sawe afore. 
Not for thenne there was no knyght myghte speke one 
word a grete whyle, and soo they loked every man an^ 
other, as they had ben dome. Thenne ther entred in to 
the halle the Holy Graile coverd with whyte samyte, but 

15 ther was none myghte see hit, nor who bare hit. And 
there was al the halle fulfylled with good odoures, and 
every Vxv^ghX. had suche metes and drynkes as he best 
loved in this world. And whan the Holy Grayle had be 
borne thurgh the halle, thenne the holy vessel departed 

20 sodenly, that they wyste not where hit becam. Thenne 
had they alle brethe to speke ; and thenne the kynge 
yelded thankynges to God of his good grace that he had 
sente them. " Certes," said the kynge, '* we oughte to 
thanke oure Lord Jhesu gretely for that he hath shewed 

25 us this daye atte reverence of this hyhe feest of Pente- 
cost." "Now," said Sir Gawayn, "we have ben served 
this daye of what metes and drynkes we thoughte on, but 
one thynge begyled us ; we myght not see the Holy 
Grayle, it was soo precyously coverd : wherfor I wil make 

30 here avowe, that to morne, withoute lenger abydyng, I 
shall laboure in the quest of the Sancgreal ; that I shalle 
hold me oute a twelve moneth and a day or more yf nede 
be, and never shalle I retorne ageyne unto the courte tyl 

^ Read on. 



CHAP. VI n.] THE COMING OF THE CRAIL. 93 

I have sene hit more openly than hit hath ben sene here 
And yf I may not spede, I shall retorne ageyne as he tha 
„aye not be ageynst the wil of our Lord Jhesu Cryste. 
Whan they of the Table Round herde Syr Gawayne saye 
so. they aiLe up the most party and maade suche avowes 5 
as Sire Gawayne had made. 

Anone as kynge Arthur herd this he was gretely dys- 
pleasyd, for he wyste wel they myghte not ageyne saye 
heyre avowes. " Alias," said kynge Arthur unto Sir 
Gawayn, " ye have nyghe slayne me with the avowe and ro 
promJsse tLt ye have made; for thurgh yow ye have 
berafte me the fayrest felauship and the truest of knyght- 
hode that ever were sene to gyders in ony -alme of the 
world; for whanne they departe froin hens I am ure 
they alle shalle never mete more m thys wor d, for they .5 
hJle dye many in the quest. And soo tt forthynkeh 
me a lytel, for I have loved them as wel as my lyf, wher- 
for hit shall greve me ryghte sore, the departycyon of 
this felauship, for I have had an old customme to have ^ 
hem in my felauship." 

Capitulum ©ctavum. 

AND ther with the teres fylle in his eyen ; and thenne 
he sayd, " Gawayne, Gawayne, ye have sette me m grete 
soroJe, for I have grete doubte that my true elaushtp 
shalle never mete here more ageyne. A, sayd byr 

Launcelot, " comforte your self, for h,t -}-'^^- ^^ ^^'^ ^ 
a grete honour, and moche more than yf we dyed m ony 
other places, for of deth we be syker." A Lau« elot 
said L kyng. "Me grete love tha, I have had unto you 
al the dayes of my lyf maketh me to say suche dolefuU 
wordes/for never Crysten kynge had never soo many 30 
worthy men at this table as I have had th.s daye at the 



94 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

Round Table, and that is my grete sorowe." Whanne 
the quene, ladyes, and gentilwymmen wyst these tydynges, 
they had suche sorowe and hevynesse that ther myght no 
tonge telle hit, for tho knyghtes had hold them in honour 
5 and chyerte. But amonge all othther quene Guenever 
made grete sorowe. " I merveylle," said she, " my lord 
wold suffre hem to departe from hym." Thus was al the 
courte troubled for the love of the departycyon of tho 
knyghtes. And many of tho ladyes that loved knyghtes 

lo wold have gone with her lovers ; and soo had they done, 
had not an old knyghte come amonge them in relygyous 
clothyng, and thenne he spake alle on hyghe, and said, 
" Fayre lordes which have sworn in the quest of the 
Sancgreal, thus sendeth you Nacyen the heremyte word, 

15 that none in this queste lede lady nor gentylwoman with 
hym, for hit is not to doo in so hyghe a servyse as they 
labour in ; for I warne yow playne, he that is not clene 
of his synnes he shalle not see the mysteryes of our Lord 
Jhesu Cryste " ; and for this cause they lefte these ladyes 

20 and gentylwymmen. 

After this the quene came unto Galahad, and asked 
hym of whens he was, and of what countrey. He told 
her of whens he was ; and sone unto Launcelot, she saide 
he was : as to that he said neyther ye nor nay. " So 

25 God me helpe," said the quene, " of your fader ye nede 
not to shame yow, for he is the goodlyest knyghte and of 
the best men of the world comen, and of the strene, of 
alle partyes, of kynges. Wherfore ye oughte of ryghte to 
be of your dedes a passynge good man, and certaynly," 

30 she said, " ye resemble hym moche." Thenne Syr 
Galahad was a lytel ashamed, and said, " Madame, sythe 
ye knowe in certayne, wherfore doo ye aske hit me ? for 
he that is my fader shalle be knowen openly, and al by 
tymes." And thenne they wente to reste them. And in 



Chap. VIII.] BEGINNING OF THE QUEST. 95 

the honour of the hyhenes of Galahad he was ledde in to 
kynge Arthurs chamber, and there rested in his owne 
bedde. And as soone as hit was daye the kynge arose, 
for he had no rest of alle that nyght for sorowe. Thenne 
he wente unto Gawayne and to Syr Launcelot, that were 5 
arysen for to here masse. And thenne the kyng ageyn 
said, " A, Gawayne, Gawayne, ye have bitrayed me ; for 
never shal my courte be amended by yow, but ye wille 
never be sory for me as I am for yow." And there with 
the teres began to renne doune by his vysage. And 10 
there with the kyng said, " A, knyghte Syr Launcelot, I 
requyre the thow counceyle me, for I wold that this quest 
were undone and it myghte be." " Syr," sayd Syr 
Launcelot, '' ye sawe yesterday soo many worthy knyghtes 
that thenne were sworne, that they may not leve it in no 15 
maner of wyse." " That wote I wel," said the kyng, 
" but it shal so hevye me at their departynge that I wote 
wel there shal no manere of joye remedye me." And 
thenne the kynge and the quene wente unto the mynster. 
Soo anone Launcelot and Gawayne commaunded her men 20 
to brynge her armes. And whanne they alle were armed, 
sauf her sheldes and her helmes, thenne they came to 
theyre felauship, whiche alle were redy in the same wyse 
for to goo to the mynster to here their servyse. 

Thenne after the servyse was done, the kynge wolde 25 
wete how many hadde undertake the queste of the Holy 
Grayle, and to accompte them he praid them alle. 
Thenne fond they by the tale an honderd and fyfty, and 
alle were knyghtes of the Table Round. And thenne. 
they putte on their helmes and departed, and recom- 30 
maunded them all holy unto the quene ; and there was 
wepynge and grete sorowe. Thenne the quene departed 
in to her chamber and helde her, that no man shold 
perceyve her grete sorowes. Whanne Syre Launcelot 



96 LK MORTE DAKTHUR. [Book XIII. 

myst the quene he wente tyl her chamber, and when she 
sawe hym she cryed aloude, " O, Launcelot, Launcelot, 
ye have bitrayed me and putte me to the deth, for to leve 
thus my lord." "A, madame, I praye yow.be not dis- 
5 pleased, for I shall come ageyne as soone as I may with 
my worship." " Alias," sayd she, "that ever I sawe yow, 
but he that suffred upon the crosse for alle mankynde, he 
be unto yow good conduyte and saufte, and alle the hole 
felauship." Ryght soo departed Launcelot, and fond his 

lo felauship that abode his comyng. And so they mounted 
on their horses, and rode thorou the strete of Camelot, 
and there was wepynge of ryche and poure, and the kyng 
tourned awey, and myghte not speke for wepynge. So 
within a whyle they came to a cyte and a castel that 

15 hy^//t Vagon ; there they entrid in to the castel. And 
the lord therof was an old man that hyght Vagon, and he 
was a good man of his lyvynge, and sette open the gates, 
and made hem alle the chere that he my^//t. And soo 
on the morne they were alle accorded that they shold 

20 departe everyche from other. And on the morne they 
departed with wepynge chere, and every kny^/^t took the 
way that hym lyked best. 

Capitulum 15. 

Now rydeth Galahalt yet withouten shelde, and so rode 
four dayes without ony adventure. And at the fourth 

25 day after evensonge he came to a whyte abbay, and there 
was he receyved with grete reverence, and ledde unto a 
chambre, and there was he unarmed. And thenne was 
he ware of knyghtes of the Table Round ; one was Sir 
Bagdemagus and Syr Uwayne. And whanne they sawe 

30 hym they wente unto Galahad, and made of hym grete 
solace, and soo thev wente unto souper. " Sirs," said 



Chap. TX.] GALAHAD'S SHIELD. 97 

Sire Galahalt, " what adventure broughte yow hyder ? " 
"Sir," they sayd all, "it is told us that within this place 
is a shelde that no man may here aboute his neck but he 
be mescheved outher dede within thre dayes, or maymed 
for ever." " A, syr," said kyng Bagdemagus, " I shalle 5 
bere hit to morne for to assay this adventure." " In the 
name of God," sayd Galahad. " Sire," said Bagdemagus, 
" and I may not encheve the adventure of this shelde, ye 
shalle take hit upon yow, for I am sure ye shalle not 
fayle." " Sir," said Galahad, " I ryghte wel agree me 10 
therto, for I have no shelde." Soo on the morne they 
aroos and herd masse. Thenne Bagdemagus asked 
where the adventurous sheld was. Anone a monke ledde 
hym behynde an aulter where the shelde henge as whyte 
as ony snowe, but in the myddes was a reed crosse. 15 
" Sirs," said the monke, " this sheld oughte not to be 
hanged aboute no knyghtes neck but he be the worthyest 
knyghte of the world ; therfore I counceylle yow knyghtes 
to be wel advysed." "Wel," said Bagdemagus, "I wote 
wel I am not the lest^ knyghte of the world, but I shal 20 
assay to bere hit"; and soo bare hit oute of the mynstre. 
And the;me he said unto Galahad, " And hit please you 
to abyde here stil tyl that ye wete how that I spede " — 
"I shalle abyde yow," sayd Galahad. 

Thenne kynge Bagdemagus took with hym a good 25 
squyer to beynge" tydynges unto Syr Galahad how he 
spedde. Thenne whanne they had ryden two myle and 
came to a fayr valey afore an hermytage, and thenne they 
sawe a knyghte come from that party in whyte armour, 
hors and all. And he came as faste as his hors myghte 30 
renne, and his spere in his reste. And Syr Bagdemagus 
dressid his spere ageynst hym, and brake hit upon the 
whyte knyght, but the other stroke hym soo hard that he 

1 Read best. - Read brynge. 



98 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

braste the mayles, and sheef hym thorou the ryght 
sholder ; for the shelde coverd hym not as at that tyme, 
and soo he bare hym from his hors. And there with he 
alyghte and took the whyte shelde from hym, sayenge, 
5 " Knyght, thow hast done thy self grete foly, for this 
shelde oughte not to be borne but by hym that shalle 
have no piere that lyveth." And thenne he came to 
Bagdemagus squyer, and saide, " Bere this shelde unto 
the good knyghte Sir Galahad, that thow lefte in the 

to abbay, and grete hym wel by me." '' Sir," said the 
squyer, " what is your name ? " " Take thow none hede 
of my name," said the kny^/^te, "for it is not for the to 
knowe nor for none erthely man." " Now, fayr syr," said 
the squyer, "at the reverence of Jhesu Cryste telle me 

15 for what cause this shelde may not be borne but yf the 
berer therof be meschyeved." " Now sythe thow hast 
conjured me soo," sayd the knyghte, "this shelde 
behoveth unto no man but unto Galahad." And Me 
squyer we?^t unto Bagdemagus and asked whether he were 

20 sore wounded or not. " Ye, forsothe," said he, " I shalle 
escape hard from the dethe." Thenne he fette his hors, 
and brought hym with grete payne unto an abbay. 
Thenne was he taken doun softely, and unarmed, and 
leid in a bedde, and there was loked to his woundes. 

25 And, as the booke telleth, he laye there longe, and 
escaped hard with the lyf. 

Capttulum i\ 

"Syr Galahalt." siyd the squyer, "that knyghte that 

wounded Bagdemagus sendeth yow gretynge, and bad 

that ye shold bere this shelde where thurgh grete 

30 adventures shold befalle." " Now blessid be good ^ and 

1 Read GcJ '^ 



Chap. X.] THE STORY OF THE SHIELD. 99 

fortune," said Galahad. And thenne he asked his amies, 
and mounted upon his hors, and henge the whyte shelde 
aboute his neck, and commaunded hem unto God. And 
Syr Uwayne said he wold here hym felauship yf it pleasyd 
hym. " Sir," sayd Galahad, " that maye ye not, for I 5 
must goo alone, sauf this squyer shall here me felauship "; 
and so departed Uwayne. 

Thenne within a whyle came Galahad there as the 
whyte knyght abode hym by the heremytage, and everyche 
salewed other curtoisly. " Sir," said Galahad, *' by this 10 
shelde ben many merveils fallen." " Sir," sayd the 
knyght, " hit befelle after the passion of our Lord Jhesu 
Crist xxxij yere, that Joseph of Armathye, the gentyl 
knyghte the whiche took doune oure Lord of the hooly 
crosse, att that tyme he departed from Jherusalem with a 15 
grete party of his kynred with hym. And so he laboured 
tyl that they came to a cyte that hyght Sarras ; and att 
that same houre that Joseph came to Sarras there was a 
kynge that hyghte Evelake, that had greto^ werre ageyne 
the Sarasyns, and in especyal ageynste one Sarasyn, the 20 
whiche was kyng Evelaks cosyn, a ryche kyng and a 
myghty, whiche marched nyghe this land, and his name 
was called Tolleme la Feyntes. Soo on a day this two 
mette to doo bataill. Thenne Joseph, the sone of Joseph 
of Armathye, wente to kynge Evelake, and told hym he 25 
shold be discomfyt and slayne, but yf he lefte his bileve 
of the old lawe and byleve upon the newe lawe. And 
thenne there he shewed hym the ryght bileve of the Holy 
Trynyte, to the whiche he agreed unto with alle his herte ; 
and there this shelde was maade for kynge Evelake in 30 
the name of hym that dyed upon the crosse. And thenne 
thurgh his good bileve he had the better of kyng Tolleme ; 
for whanne Evelake was in the batail there was a clothe 

2 Read grete. 



100 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XT IT. 

sette afore the sheld. And whaniie he was in the grettest 
perylle he lete putte awaye the clothe, and thenne his 
enemyes sawe a fygur of a man on the crosse, where 
thurgh they alle were discomfyte. And soo it befelle 
5 that a man of kynge Evelaks was smyten his hand of, and 
bare that hand in his other hand. And Joseph called 
that man unto hym, and badde hym'goo with good 
devocyon touche the crosse. And as soone as that man 
had touched the crosse with his hand, it was as hole as 

10 ever hit was to fore. Thenne soone after there felle a 
grete merveyll, that the crosse of the sheld at one tyme 
vanysshed awey, that no man wyst w^here hit became. 
And thenne kynge Evelake was baptysed, and for the 
moost party alle the peple of that cyte. So soone after 

15 Joseph wold departe, and kynge Evelake wold goo with 
hym whether he wold or nold. And soo by fortune they 
came in to this land, that at that tyme was called Grete 
Bretayne, and there they fond a grete felon paynym that 
put Joseph in to pryson. And soo by fortune tydynges 

20 cam unto a worthy man that hyghte Mondrames, and he 
assembled alle his peple for the grete renomme he had 
herde of Joseph, and soo he came in to the land of Grete 
Bretayne, and disherited this felon paynym and con- 
sumed hym, and ther with delyverd Joseph oute of 

25 pryson ; and after that alle the peple were torned to 
the Crysten feithe. 

Capitulum un^ecimum. 

Not longe after that Joseph was layd in his dedely bed. 

And whanne kynge Evelake sawe that, he made moche 

sorowe, and sayd, ' For thy love I have lefte my countrey, 

30 and sythe ye shalle departe oute of this world leve me 

somme token of yours, that I may thynke on you.' 



Chap. XL] THE STORY OF THE SHIEL2X 101 

Joseph said, ' That wille 1 doo ful gladly. Now brynge 
me your sheld that I toke yow whanne ye went in to 
bataille ageynst kyng Tolleme.' Thenne Joseph bled 
sore at the nose so that he myght not by no meane be 
staunched. And therupon that sheld he made a crosse 5 
of his owne blood. ' Now may ye see a remembraunce 
that I love yow, for ye shalle never see this shelde but ye 
shal thynke on me, and it shall be alweyes as fresshe as 
it is now. And never shalle man here this sheld aboute 
his neck but he shalle repente hit, unto the tyme that 10 
Galahad the good 'knyght^ here hit ; and the laste of my 
lygnage shal leve hit aboute his neck, that shall doo many 
merveyllous dedes.' ' Now,' sayd kynge Evelake, 
' where shalle I put this shelde that this worthy knyght 
may have hit.'' ' ' Ye shal leve hit there as Nacyen the 15 
heremyte shal be put after his dethe. For thydder shal 
that good knyghte come the fyf tenth day after that he 
shal receyve the ordre of knyghthode ; and soo that daye 
that they sette is this tyme that he have his shelde. And 
in the same abbay lyeth Nacyen the heremyte.' " And 20 
thenne the whyte knyghte vanysshed away. Anone, as 
the squyer had herde these wordes, he alyghte of his 
hakney, and kneled doune at Galahads feet, and prayd 
hym that he myghte goo with hym tyll he had made hym 
knyghte. '' Yf I wold not refuse yow, thenne will ye 25 
make me a kny^>^te ? " sayd the squyer, *' and that ordre 
by the grace of God shal be wel sette in me." Soo Syr 
Galahad graunted hym, and tourned ageyne unto the 
abbay there they came fro, and there men made grete 
joye of Syr Galahad. And anone as he was alyghte, 30 
there was a monke broughte hym unto a tombe in a 
chirche yerd, where that was suche a noyse that who that 
herd hit shold veryly nyghe be madde or lese his strengthe ; 
" And, syre," they sayd, " we deme hit is a fende." 



102 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 



Capitulum jij, 

" Now lede me thyder," sayd Galahad ; and soo they 
dyd, alle armed sauf his helme. " Now," sayd the good 
man, "goo to the tombe and lyfte hit up." Soo he dyd 
and herd a grete noyse, and pytously he sayd that alle 
5 men my^//te here hit, " Syr Galahad, the servaunt of 
Jhesu Cryste, come thou not nyghe me, for thow shalt 
make me goo ageyne ther where I have ben soo longe." 
But Galahad was no thynge affrayed, but lyfte up the 
stone, and there came out so foul a smoke ; and after he 

10 sawe the fowlest fygur lepe there oute that ever he sawe 
in the lykenes of a man, and thenne he blessid hym, and 
wyste wel hit was a fende. Thenne herd he a voyse say, 
" Galahad, I see there envyronne aboute the so many 
angels that my power may not dere the." Ryght soo Syr 

15 Galahad sawe a body al armed lye in that tombe, and 
besyde hym a swerd. " Now, fayr broder," sayd Galahad, 
" lete us remeve this body, for hit is not worthy to lye in 
this chircheyerd, for he was a fals Crysten man." And 
there with they alle departed and wente to the abbay. 

20 And anone as he was unarmed, a good man cam and 
sette hym doune by hym, and sayd, " Syre, I shall telle 
yow what betokeneth alle that ye sawe in the tombe ; for 
that coverd body betokeneth the duresse of the world and 
the grete synne that oure Lord fond in the world ; for 

25 there was suche wretchydnesse that the fader loved not 
the sone, nor the sone loved not the fader, and that was 
one of the causes that oure Lord took fiesshe and blood 
of a clene mayden ; for oure synnes were so grete at that 
tyme that wel nyghe all was wickednes." "Truly," sayd 

30 Galahad, " I bileve yow ryghte wel." So Syre Galahad 
rested hym there that nyghte. 



Chap. XII.] GALAHAD KNIGHTS MELYAS. 103 

And upon the morne he made the squyer knyghte, and 
asked hym his name, and of what kynred he was come. 
" Syre," sayd he, " men calleth me Melyas de Lyle, and I 
am the sone of the kynge of Denmarke." "Now, fayre 
sire," sayd Galahad, " sythe that ye be come of kynges 5 
and quenes, now loketh that knyghthode be wel sette in 
yow, for ye oughte to be a myrrour unto all chyvalry." 
" Sire," sayd Syre Melyas, " ye saye sothe. But, syre, 
sythen ye have made me a kny^/^t, ye must of ry^//t 
grauwte me my fyrst desyre that is resonable." " Ye say 10 
soth," said Galahad. Melyas said, " The;me that ye wil 
suffre me to ryde with yow in this quest of the Sancgreal 
tyl that somme adventure departe us." " I graunte yow, 
sir." Thenne men brought Syre Melyas his armoure and 
his spere and his hors, and soo Syr Galahad and he rode 15 
forth all that weke or they fond ony adventure. And 
thenne upon a Monday, in the mornyng, as they were 
departed fro an abbay, they cam to a crosse whiche 
departed two wayes, and in that crosse were letters 
wryten that sayd thus : " Now, ye knyghtes arraunt, the 20 
whiche goth to seke knyghtes adventurous, see here ij 
wayes ; thaX one wey defendeth the that thow ne go thaX 
way, for he shalle not go oute of the way ageyne but yf 
he be a good man and a worthy knyghte. And yf thow 
goo on the lyfte hand, thow shalt not lyghtely there wynne 25 
prowesse, for thow shalt in this way be soone assayed." 
" Sir," said Melyas to Galahad, " yf hit lyke yow to suffer 
me to take the way on the lyft hand, telle me, for there I 
shalle wel preve my strengthe." " Hit were better," said 
Galahad, " ye rode not that way, for I deme I shold better 30 
escape in that way than ye." " Nay, my lord, I praye 
yow lete me have that adventure." ''Take it in Goddes 
name," said Galahad. 



104 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XIII. 



Capttulum jiij. 

And the;me rode Melyas in to an old forest, and therin 
he rode two dayes and more. And thenne he came in to 
a fayr medowe, and there was a fayr lodge of bowes. 
And thenne he aspyed in that lodge a chayer, wherin was 
5 a crown of gold subtyly wroughte. Also there were 
clothes coverd upon the erthe, and many delycious metes 
sette theron. Sir Melyadas behelde this aventure, and 
thoughte hit merveillous, but he had no honger, but of 
the croune of gold he took moch kepe ; and there with 

10 he stouped doune and took hit up, and rode his way with 
it. And anone he sawe a knyght came rydynge after hym 
that sayd, " Knyghte, sette doune that crowne whiche is 
not yours, and therfor defendeth yow." Thenne Syre 
Melyas blessid hym, and said, " Fair Lord of heven, helpe 

15 and save thy newe made knyght"; and thenne they lete 
theire horses renne as fast as they my^//t, so that the 
other kny^/^t smote Sir Melias thorou hauberk and thorow 
the lyfte syde, that he felle to the erthe nyghe dede. 
And thenne he took the crowne and went his way, and 

20 Syr Melyas lay stylle and had no power to stere. In the 
meane whyle by fortune ther came Syre Galahad and 
fond hym there in perille of dethe. And thenne he said, 
" A, Melyas, who hath wounded yow ? therfor hit had 
ben better to have ryden the other way." And whanne 

25 Sir Melyas herd hym speke, " Syre," he sayd, " for Goddes 
love lete me not dye in this forest, but here me unto the 
abbay here besyde, that I may be confessyd and have my 
ryghtes." " It shal be done," said Galahad, "but where 
is he that hath wounded yow ? " With that Syr Galahad 

30 herd in the leves crye on hyghe, '' Knyght, kepe the from 
me." "A, syr," said Melyas, "beware, for that is he 



Chap. XIII.] MELYAS IS WOUNDED. 105 

that hath slayne me/' Sir Galahad ansuerd, " Syr 
knyghte, come on your perylle," Thenne eyther dressid 
to other, and came to gyder as fast as their horses myghte 
renne ; and Galahad smote hym soo that hys spere wente 
thorou his sholder, and smote hym doune of his hors, and 5 
in the fallyng Galahadis spere brak. With that cam oiite 
another knyghte of the leves and brake a spere upon 
Galahad or ever he myghte torne hym. Thenne Galahad 
drewe oute his swerd and smote of the lyfte arme of hym, 
soo that it felle to the erthe. And thenne he fledde, and 10 
Sire Galahad sewed fast after hym. And thenne he 
torned ageyne unto Syr Melyas, and there he alyghte and 
dressid hym softely on his hors to fore hym, for the 
truncheon of his spere was in his body ; and Syr Galahad 
sterte up behynde hym, and helde hym in his armes, and 15 
soo broughte hym to the abbay, and there unarmed hym, 
and broughte hym to his chamber. And thenne he asked 
his Saveour. And whanne he had receyved Hym, he 
said unto Syr Galahad, " Syr, lete deth come whan it 
pleasyd hym." And there with he drewe oute the 20 
truncheon of the spere oute of his body, and thenne he 
swouned. Thenne came there an olde monke, whiche 
somtyme had ben a knyghte, and behelde Syre Melyas. 
And anone he ransakyd hym, and thenne he saide unto 
Syr Galahad, " I shal hele hym of this wou/zde, by the 25 
grace of God, within the terme of seven wekes." Thenne 
was Sir Galahad glad and unarmed hym, and said he 
wold abyde there thre dayes. And thenne he asked Syr 
Melyas how it stood with hym. Thenne he sayd, " He 
was torned unto helpyng, God be thanked ! " 30 



106 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

Capttulum iiitj* 

" Now wylle I departe," sayd Galahad, " for I have 
moche on hand, for many good knyghtes be ful besy 
aboute hit ; and this knyghte and I were in the same 
quest of the Sancgreal." " Sire," said a good man, "for 

5 his synne he was thus wounded ; and I merveylle," said 
the good man, " how ye durst take upon yow soo ryche a 
thynge as the hyghe ordre of kn3''ghthode withoute clene 
confession, and that was the cause ye were bytterly 
wounded. For the way on the ry^>^t hand betokeneth 

10 the hyghe way of our Lord Jhesu Cryste, and the way of 
a good true good lyver. And the other wey betokeneth 
the way of synners and of mysbylevers. And whanne 
the devylle sawe your pryde and presumpcyon for to take 
yow in the quest of the Sancgreal, that made you to be 

15 overthrowen, for hit may not be encheved but by vertuous 
lyvynge. Also, the wrytynge on the crosse was a 
sygnyfycacyon of hevenly dedes, and of knyghtly dedes 
in Goddes werkes, and no kny^/^tly dedes in worldly 
werkes ; and pryde is hede of alle dedely synnes, that 

20 caused this knyghte to departe from Galahad ; and where 
thow tokest the croune of gold thow synnest in covetyse 
and in thefte. Alle this were no knyghtely dedes. And 
this Galahad, the holy knyghte, the whiche foughte with 
the two knyghtes, the two knyghtes sygnefyen the two 

25 dedely synnes whiche were holy in this knyghte Melyas, 
and they myghte not withstande yow, for ye are withoute 
dedely synne." Now departed Galahad from thens, and 
betaught hem alle unto God. Sir Melyas sayd, " My lord 
Galahad, as soone as I may ryde I shalle seke yow." 

30 " God send yow helthe," said Galahad, and soo toke his 
hers and departed, and rode many journeyes forward and 
backward as adventure wold lede hym. 



Chap.. XV.] THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS. 107 

And at the laste hit happend hym to departe from a 
place or a castel, the whiche was named Abblasoure, and 
he hadde herd no masse, the whiche he was wonte ever 
to here or ever he departed oute of ony castel or place, 
and kepte that for a customme. Thenne Syr Galahad 5 
came unto a montayne where he fond an old chappel, and 
fond there no body, for all alle was desolate, and there 
he kneled to fore the aulter, and besought God of 
holsome counceil. Soo as he prayd he herd a voys that 
sayd, " Goo thow now, thou adventurous knyghte, to the 10 
Castel of Maydens, and there doo thow awey thy^ wycked 
custommes." 

Capttulum i\f. 

Whanne Syr Galahad herd this he thanked God and 
toke his hors. And he had not ryden but half a myle, 
he sawe in a valeye afore hym a stronge castel with depe 15 
dyches, and there ranne besyde hit a fayr ryver, that 
hyghte Syvarne ; and there he mette with a man of grete 
age, and eyther salewed other, and Galahad asked hym 
the castels name. " Fair syr," said he, " hit is the Castel 
of Maydens." " That is a cursyd castel," said Galahalt, 20 
" and alle they that ben conversaunt therin, for alle pyte 
is oute therof, and alle hardynesse and meschyef is 
therin." '' Therfor I counceyle yow, sir knyght, to torne 
ageyne." " Sir," said Galahad, " wete yow wel I shalle 
not tourne ageyne." Thenne loked Syre Galahad on his 25 
armes that noo thynge fayled hym, and thenne he put his 
sheld afore hym, and anone there mette hym seven fayr 
maydens, the whiche sayd unto hym, " Syr knyghte, ye 
ryde here in a grete foly, for ye have the water to passe 
over." " Why shold I not passe the water ? " said 3° 
Galahad. So rode he awey from them, and mette with a 

1 Read the- 



108 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

squyer that said, '' Knyghte, tho knyghtes in the castel 
defyen yow, and defenden yow, ye go no ferther tyl that 
they wete what ye wolde." " Faire sir," saide Galahad, 
" I come for to destroye the wycked custome of this 

5 castel." " Sir, and ye wille abyde by that, ye shal have 
ynough to doo." " Go yow now," said Galahad, '' and 
hast my nedes." Thenne the squyer entryd in to the 
castel. And anone after there came oute of the castel 
seven knyghtes, and all were bretheren. And whan they 

10 sawe Galahad they cryed, " Knyghte, kepe the, for we 
assure the no thynge but dethe." " Why," sayd Galahad, 
" will ye alle have adoo with me at ones ? " " Ye," sayde 
they, " therto maist thow trust." Thenne Galahad putte 
forth his spere, and smote the formest to the erthe, that 

15 nere he brake his neck. And there with alle the other 
smote hym on his shelde grete strokes, so that their 
speres brake. Thenne Syr Galahad drewe oute his swerd, 
and set upon hem soo hard that it was merveylle to see 
hit, and soo thurgh grete force he made hem to forsake 

20 the felde ; and Galahad chased hem tyl they entryd in to 
the castel, and so passed X\mxgh the castel at another gate. 
And there mette Syr Galahad an old man clothed in 
relygyous clothynge, and sayd, " Sire, have here the 
kayes of this castel." Thenne Syr Galahad opened the 

25 gates, and sawe soo moche peple in the stretes that he 
myghte not nombre them, and alle sayd, " Syr, ye be 
welcome, for longe have we abyden here our delyver- 
aunce." Thenne came to hym a gentylw(?man, and 
sayde, " These knyghtes be fledde, but they wille come 

30 ageyne this nyghte, and here to begynne ageyn their 
evylle customme." " What wille ye that I shalle doo ? " 
sayd Galahad. " Sir," said the gentilwoman, "that ye 
send after alle the knyghtes hyder that hold their landes 



Chap. XV.] THE SEVEN EVIL KNIGHTS. 109 

of this castel, and make hem to swere for to use the 
custommes that were used here to fore of olde tyme." 
" I wille wel," said Galahad, and there she broughte hym 
an home of ivory bou//den with gold rychely, and saide, 
" Sir, blowe this home, whych wille be herde two myle 5 
aboute this castel." Whanne Syr Galahad had blowen 
the home he set hym doune upon a bedde. 

Thenne came a preest to Galahad, and said, " Syr, hit 
is past a seven yere agone that these seven bretheren 
cam in to this castel, and herberowed with the lord of 10 
this castell, that hyght the duke Lyanowre, and he was 
lord of alle thys countrey. And whanne they aspyed the 
dukes doughter, that was a ful faire woman, thenne by 
their fals covyn they made debate betwixe them self, and 
the duke of his goodenes wold have departed hem; and 15 
there they slewe hym and his eldest sone, and thenne 
they took the mayden and the tresour of the castel. And 
thenne by grete force they helde alle the knyghtes of this 
castel ageynste theire wylle under theyre obeyssaunce, 
and in grete servage and truage, robbynge and pyllynge 20 
the poure comyn peple of all that they had. Soo hit 
happend on a daye the dukes doughter sayd, ' Ye have 
done unto me greete wronge to slee myn owne fader and 
my broder, and thus to holde our landes ; not for thenne,' 
she sayd, 'ye shalle not holde this castel for many yeres, 25 
for by one knyghte ye shal be overcomen.' Thus she 
prophecyed seven yeres agone. ' Wel,' said the seven 
knyghtes, ' sythen ye say so, ther shal never lady nor 
knyghte passe this castel but they shall abyde maulgre 
their hedes, or dye therfor, tyl that knyghte be come by 30 
whome we shalle lese this castel.' And therfore it is 
called the Maydens Castel, for they have devoured many 
maydens." "Now," said Galahad, "is she here for 
whome this castel was lost ? " " Nay, sir," said the 



110 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

preest, *' she was dede within these thre nyghtes after 
that she was thus enforced, and sythen have they kepte 
their yonger syster, which endureth grete paynes with mo 
other ladyes." 
5 By this were the knyghtes of the countray comen, and 
thenne he made hem doo homage and feaute to the 
kynges dou<^/^ter, and sette hem in grete ease of herte. 
And in the morne ther came one to Galahad, and told 
hym how that Gawayn, Gareth, and Uwayne had slayne 
10 the seven bretheren. " I suppose wel," said Syr Galahad ; 
and took his armour and his hors and commaunded hem 
unto God. 

Capitulum jvj. 

Now saith the tale, after Syr Gawayne departed, he 
rode many journeyes bothe toward and froward, and att 

15 the laste he cam to the abbaye where Syre Galahad had 
the whyte sheld. And there Syr Gawayne lerned the 
way to sewe after Syr Galahad, and soo he rode to the 
abbay where Melyas lay seke, and there Syr Melyas told 
Syr Gawayn of the merveyllous adventures that Syr 

20 Galahad dyd. " Certes," said Sire Gawayne, " I am not 
happy that I took not the way that he wente, for, and I 
maye mete with hym, I wille not departe from hym 
lyghtely, for alle merveyllous adventures Sir Galahad 
encheveth." " Sir," said one of the monkes, " he wille 

25 not of your felauship." "Why.?" said Syr Gawayne. 
" Sir," said he, "for ye be wycked and synful, and he is 
ful blessid." 

Ryght as they thus stode talkynge, there came in 
rydynge Syr Gareth, and thenne they made joye eyth<?r 

30 of other ; and on the morne they herd masse, and soo 
departed. And by the way they met with Syr Uwayne 



Chap. XVI.] FIGHT WITH THE SEVEN KNIGHTS. Ill 

les Avoultres. And there Syre Uwayne told Syr Gawayne 
how he had mette with none adventure sythe he departed 
from the courte. "Nor we," said Sir Gawayne, and 
eyther promysed other of tho thre knyghtes not to departe 
whyle they were in that quest, but yf fortune caused it. 5 
Soo they departed and rode by fortune tyl that they came 
by the Castel of Maydens. And there the seven bretheren 
aspyed the thre knyghtes, and said, " Sythen we be 
tiemyd by one knyghte from this castel, we shalle destroye 
alle the knyghtes of kyng Arthurs that we maye overcome, 10 
for the love of Syr Galahad." And there with the seven 
knyghtes sette upon the thre knyghtes ; and by fortune 
Syr Gawayne slewe one of the bretheren, and echone of 
his felawes slewe another, and soo slewe the remenaunt. 
And thenne they took the wey under the castel, and there 15 
they loste the way that Sir Galahad rode, and there 
everyche of hem departed from other, and Sir Gawayne 
rode tylle he came to an hermytage, and there he fond 
the good man sayenge his evensonge of Our Lady, and 
there Syr Gawayne asked herberowe for charyte, and the 20 
good man graunted hit hym gladly. Thenne the good 
man asked hym what he was. " Syre," he said, " I am a 
kny^/^t of kynge Arthurs, that am in the queste of the 
Sancgreal, and my name is Syr Gawayne." " Sire," sayd 
the good man, " I wold wete how it standeth betwixe God 25 
and yow." " Sir," said Sir Gawayne, " I wille with a 
good v/ill shewe yow my lyf, yf hit please yow," and there 
he tolde the heremyte how " a monke of an abbay called 
me wycked knyght." " He myght wel saye hit," said the 
heremyte, " for whanne ye were fyrste made knyghte ye 30 
sholde have taken yow to knyghtely dedes and vertuous 
lyvynge, and ye have done the contrary, for ye have lyved 
meschevously many wynters ; and Sir Galahad is a mayd, 
and synned never, and that is the cause he shalle encheve 



112 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

where he goth that ye nor none suche shalle not atteyne, 
nor none in your felauship, for ye have used the moost 
untruest lyf that ever I herd knyght lyve. For, certes, 
had ye not ben so wycked as ye ar, never had the seven 
5 bretheren be slayne by yow and your two felawes. For 
Syre Galahad, hym self alone, bete hem alle seven the 
day to forne, but his lyvyng is suche he shal slee no man 
lyghtely. Also I may say yow, the Castel of Maidens 
betokenen the good soules that were in pryson afore the 

lo Incarnacyon of Jhesu Cryste. And the seven knyghtes 
betokenen the seven dedely synnes that regned that tyme 
in the world. And I may lyken the good Galahad unto 
the Sone of the Hyghe Fader, that lyghte within a mayde, 
and bought alle the soules oute of thralle : soo dyd Syre 

15 Galahad delyver all the maydehs oute of the woful castel. 
Now, Sire Gawayne," said the good man, ''thou must 
doo penaunce for thy synne." " Syre, what penaunce 
shalle I do .'' " " Suche as I wille gyve," sayd the good 
man. " Nay," said Syre Gawayne, " I may doo no pen- 

20 aunce ; for we knyghtes adventurous ofte suffren grete 
woo and payne." " Wei," sayd the good man, and thenne 
he held his pees. And on the morne Syre Gawayne 
departed from the heremyte and betaught hym unto God. 
And by adventur he mette with Syre Aglovale and Syr 

25 Gryflet, two knyghtes of the Table Round. And they 
two rode four dayes withoute fyndynge of ony adventure, 
and at the fyfthe day they departed. And everyche helde 
as felle them by adventure. 

Here leveth the tale of Syr Gawayne and his felawes, 

30 and speke we of Syr Galahad. 



Chap. XVIL] GALAHAD IN DISGUISE. 113 



Capitulum vo\\. 

Soo whanne Syr Galahad was departed from the Castel 
of Maydens, he rode tyl he came to a waste forest, and 
there he mette with Syre Launcelot and Syr Percyvale ; 
but they knewe hym not, for he was nevve desguysed. 
Ryghte so Syr Launcelot his fader dressid his spere and 5 
brake it upon Syr Galahad, and Galahad smote hym so 
ageyne that he smote doune hors and man. And thenne 
he drewe his suerd, and dressid hym unto Syr Percyvale, 
and smote hym soo on the helme that it rofe to the coyfe 
of stele, and had not the swerd swarved, Syr Percyvale 10 
had ben slayne, and with the stroke he felle oute of his 
sadel. This justes was done to fore the hermytage where 
a recluse dwelled. And when she sawe Syr Galahad 
ryde, she said, " God be with the best knyghte of the 
world." " A, certes," said she, alle alowde, that Launcelot 15 
and Percyvale my^//t here it, " and yonder two knyghtes 
had knowen the as wel as I doo, they wold not have 
encou«tred with the." Thenne Syr Galahad herd her 
say so he was adrad to be knowen : ther with he smote 
his hors with his spores, and rode a grete paas toward 20 
them. Thenne perceyved they bothe that he was Gala- 
had, and up they gat on their horses, and rode faste after 
hym, but in a whyle he was out of their syghte. And 
the;^ne they torned ageyne with hevy chere. " Lete us 
spere some tydynges," sayd Percyvale, " at yonder 25 
recluse." " Do as ye lyst," said Syr Launcelot. Whanne 
Syr Percyvale came to the recluse, she knewe hym wel 
ynough and Syr Launcelot bothe. But Syr Launcelot 
rode overthwart and endlonge in a wylde forest, and 
helde no pathe but as wyld adventure led hym. And at 30 
the last he came to a stony crosse, whiche departed two 



114 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

wayes in waste land, and by the crosse was a stone that 
was of marbel, but it was so derke that Syr Launcelot 
myghte not wete what it was. Thenne Syre Launcelot 
loked by hym and sawe an old chappel, and ther he 
5 wende to have fond peple. And Sir Launcelot teyed his 
hors tyl a tree, and there he dyd of his sheld, and henge 
hit upon a tree, and thenne wente to the chappel dore 
and fonde hit waste and broken. And within he fond a 
fayr aulter ful rychely arayed with clothe of clene sylke, 

lo and there stode a fayre clene candelstyk whiche bare 
syxe grete candels, and the candelstyk was of sylver. 
And whanne Syre Launcelot sawe thys lyght, he had 
grete wylle for to entre in to the chappel, but he coude 
fynde no place where he myghte entre. Thenne was he 

15 passynge hevy and desmayed. Thenne he retorned and 
cam to his hors, and dyd of his sadel and brydel, and lete 
hym pasture ; and unlaced his helme, and ungyrd his 
swerd, and laide hym doune to slepe upon his shelde to fore 
the crosse. 

Capitulum jv>iij. 

20 And soo he felle on slepe, and half wakynge and 
slepyng he sawe come by hym two palfreyes alle fayr and 
whyte, the whiche bare a lytter, therin lyenge a seke 
knyghte. And whanne he was nyghe the crosse he there 
abode stylle. Alle this Syr Launcelot sawe and beheld, 

25 for he slepte not veryly, and he herd hym saye, " O swete 
Lord, whanne shal this sorowe leve me t and whanne 
shalle the holy vessel come by me where thurgh I shalle 
be blessid 1 For I have endured thus longe for lytyl 
trespace." A ful grete whyle complayned the knyght 

30 thus, and alweyes Syr Launcelot herd it. With that Syr 
Launcelot sawe the candelstyk with the syxe tapers come 
before the crosse, and he sawe no body that brought it. 






Chap. XVIII.] LAUNCELOT AND THE GRAIL. 115 

Also there came a table of sylver and the holy vessel of 
the Sancgreal, whiche Launcelot had sene afore tyme in 
kynge Pescheours hows. And there with the seke 
knyghte sette hym up and helde up bothe his handes, 
and said, " Faire swete Lord, whiche is here within this 5 
holy vessel, take hede unto me that I may be hole of this 
maladye." And ther with on his handes and on his 
knees he wente soo nyghe that he touched the holy vessel 
and kyste hit, and anone he was hole; and thenne he 
sayd, " Lord God, I thanke the, for I am helyd of this 10 
sekenesse." So whanne the holy vessel had ben there 
a grete whyle hit wente unto the chappel with the 
chaundeler and the lyght, soo that Launcelot wyst not 
where it was become, for he was overtaken with synen 
that he had no power to ryse ageyne the holy vessel; 15 
wherfor after that many men said of hym shame, but he 
took repentaunce after that. Thenne the seke .knyght 
dressid hym up, and kyssed the crosse. Anone his 
squyer brought hym his armes and asked his lord how he 
dyd. " Certes," sayd he, " I thanke God ryghte wel, 20 
thurgh the holy vessel I am helyd. But I have merveil 
of this slepynge knyghte, that had no power to awake 
whanne this holy vessel was brought hyder." " I dare 
x^ghX. wel saye," sayd the squyer, " that he dwelleth in 
some dedely synne, wherof he was never confessid." 25 
" By my feythe," said the knyght, '' what somever he be 
he is unhappy, for as I deme he is of the felauship of the 
Round Table, the whiche is entryd in to the quest of the 
Sancgreal." "Sire," said the squyer, "here I have 
brought yow alle your armes sauf your helme and your 30 
suerd, and therfor by myn assente now maye ye take this 
kny^/ztes helme and his suerd." And so he dyd. And 
whan he was clene armed he took Syr Lau;zcelots hors, for 
he was better than his, and soo departed they from the 
crosse. 



116 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XIII. 



Capttulum 5t5» 

Thenne anone Syr Launcelot waked and sette hym up, 
and bethought hym what he had sene there, and whether 
it were dremes or not. Ryght so herd he a voys that 
said, '' Syr Launcelot, more harder than is the stone, and 
5 more bytter than is the wood, and more naked and barer 
than is the leef of the fygge tree, therfore goo thow from 
hens, and wythdrawe the from this hooly place." And 
whanne Syre Launcelot herd this he was passynge hevy, 
and wyst not what to do, and so departed sore wepynge, 

lo and cursed the tyme that he was borne. For thenne he 
demed never to have hadde worship more. For tho 
wordes went to his herte, tyl that he knewe wherfor he 
was called soo. Thenne Syre Launcelot wente to the 
crosse and fonde his helme, his swerd, and his hors taken 

15 away. And thenne he called hym self a veray wretche 
and moost unhappy of all knyghtes ; and there he sayd, 
" My synne and my wyckednes have brought me unto 
grete dishonour ; for whanne I soughte worldly adventures 
for worldly desyres I ever encheved them, and had the 

20 better in every place, and never was I discomfyt in no 
quarel, were it ryght or wronge. And now I take upon 
me the adventures of holy thynges, and now I see and 
understande that myn old synne hyndereth me and 
shameth me, so that I had no power to stere nor speke 

-'5 whan the holy blood appiered afore me." 

So thus he sorowed til hit was day, and herd the fowles 
synge ; thenne somwhat he was comforted. But whan 
Syr Launcelot myst his hors and his harneis, thenne he 
wyste wel God was displeasyd with hym. Thenne he 

30 departed from the crosse on foote in to a foreste, and soo 
by pryme he came to an hyghe hylle, and fonde nn 



Chap. XX.] LAUNCELOT'S REPENTANCE. 117 

hermytage, and an heremyte theryn, whiche was goynge 
unto masse. And thenne Launcelot kneled doune, and 
cryed on oure Lorde mercy for his wycked werkes. Soo 
whanne masse was done, Launcelot called hym, and 
prayed hym for charite for to here his lyfe. "With a 3 
good will," sayd the good man. " Sir," sayd he, "be ye 
of kyng Arthurs courte and of the felauship of the Round 
Table ? " " Ye, forsothe, and my name is Sir Launcelot 
du Lake, that hath ben ryght wel said of, and now my 
good fortune is chaunged,-for I am the moost wretche of ro 
the world." The heremyte behelde hym, and hadde 
merveille how he was soo abasshed. " Syre," said the 
heremyte, "ye oughte to thanke God more than ony 
knyght lyvynge, for he hath caused yow to have more 
worldly worship than ony knyghte that now lyveth. And 15 
for your presumpcyon to take upon you in dedely synne 
for to be in his presence, where his flesshe and his blood 
was, that caused you ye myghte not see hit with worldly 
eyen, for he wille not appiere where suche synners ben, 
but yf hit be unto theire grete hurte and unto her grete 20 
shame. And there is no knyght lyvynge now that ought 
to kenne God soo grete thanke as ye ; for he hath yeven 
yow beaute, semelynes, and grete strengthe above all 
other knyghtes, and therfor ye are the morr^ beholdyng 
unto God than ony other man to love hym and drede 25 
hym ; for your strength and manhode wille lytel avaylle 
yow and God be ageynste yow." 

Capttulum J5» 

Thenne Sir Launcelot wept with hevy chere, and sayd, 
" Now I knowe wel ye saye me sothe." " Sire," sayd the 
good man, " hyde none old synne from me." "Truly," 30 

1 Read more. 



118 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XIII. 

said Syr Launcelot, " that were me ful lothe to discovere ; 
for this xiiij yere I never discoverd one thynge that I 
have used, and that maye I now wyte my shame and my 
disaventur." And thenne he told there that good man 
5 alle his lyf, and hou he had loved a quene unmesurably, 
and oute of mesure longe, " and alle my grete dedes of 
armes that I have done, I dyd for the moost party for the 
quenes sake, and for her sake wold I doo batail were hit 
ryght or wronge, and never dyd I bataille alle only for 

10 Goddes sake, but for to wynne worshyp and to cause me 
to be the better biloved, and lytel or noughte I thanked 
God of hit." Thenne Syr Launcelot sayd, " I praye yow 
counceylle me." " I wille counceyle yow," said the 
heremyte, " yf ye wille ensure me that ye will never come 

15 in that quenes felauship, as moche as ye may forbere." 
And thenne Syre Launcelot promysed hym he nold, by 
the feithe of his body. " Loke that your herte and your 
mouthe accorde," said the good man, " and I shalle 
ensure yow ye shalle have more worship than ever ye 

20 had." " Holy fader," said Syre Launcelot, " I merveylle 
of the voys that sayd to me merveillous wordes as ye have 
herd to fore hand." " Have ye no merveylle," sayd the 
good man, " therof, for hit semeth wel God loveth yow ; 
for men maye understande a stone is hard of kynde, and 

25 namely one more than another, and that is to understande 
by the, Syr Launcelot, for thou wylt not leve thy synne 
for no goodnes that God hath sente the ; therfor thou 
arte more [hard ?] than ony stone, and never woldest 
thow be maade neysshe nor by water nor by fyre, and 

30 that is, the hete of the Holy Ghoost maye not entre in 
the. Now take hede ; in alle the world men shal not 
fynde one knyghte to whome oure Lord hath yeven soo 
moche of grace as he hath yeven yow ; for he hath yeven 
yow fayrenes with semelynes, he hath yeven the wyt, 



Chap. XX.] LAUNCELOrS CONFESSION. 119 

discrecyon to knowe good from evyll, he hath yeven the 
prowesse and hardynesse, and gyven the to werke soo 
largely that thou hast had at al dayes the better where 
somever thow came. And now our Lord wille suffre the 
no lenger, but that thow shalte knowe hym, whether thow 5 
wilt or nylt. And why the voyce called the bytter than 
wood, for where over moche synne duelleth, there may be 
but lytel swetnesse, wherfor thow arte lykened to an old 
roten tree. Now have I shewed the why thou arte harder 
than the stone and bytterer than the tree. Now shall I 10 
shewe the why thow arte more naked and barer than the 
fygge tree. It befelle that our Lord on Palmsondaye * 
preched in Jherusalem, and there he fonde in the people 
that alle hardnes was herberowed in them, and there he 
fond in alle the towne not one that wold herberowe hym. 15 
And thenne he wente withoute the towne, and fond in 
myddes of the way a fygge tree, the whiche was ryghte 
fayr, and wel garnysshed of leves, but fruyte had it none. 
Thenne our Lord cursyd the tree that bere no fruyte ; 
that betokeneth the fygge tree unto Jherusalem, that had 20 
leves and no fruyte. Soo thow, Syr Launcelot, whan the 
Hooly Grayle was broughte afore the, he fonde in the 
noo fruyte, nor good thoughte, nor good wille, and 
defowled with lechery." '' Certes," said Sir Launcelot, 
" alle that ye have said is true. And from hens forward 25 
I caste me by the grace of God never to be so wycked as 
I have ben, but as to folowe knyghthode and to do fetys 
of armes." Thenne the good man joyned Syr Launcelot 
suche penaunce as he myghte doo, and to sewe knyght- 
hode, and so assoylled hym, and praid Syre Launcelot 30 
to abyde with hym alle that daye. '' I wylle wel," said 
Syr Launcelot, '' for I have neyther helme, ne hors, ne 
suerd." "As for that," sayd the good man, "I shalle 
helpe yow or to morne at even of an hors and al that 



120 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. 

longed unto yow." And thenne Syr Lau^celot repented 
hym gretely. 



1bere levetb ot tbe btatorig of syr 
launcelot. 



Hn^ bere tolowetb tbe se\>ententb booft 
wbtcbe 10 of tbe noble f^npgbte spre 
Galabat). 



Capitulum iPrtmum, 

Now saith this story, whanne Galahad had rescowed 
Percyval from the twenty knyghtes, he yede tho in to a 
waste foreste, wherin he rode many journeyes, and he 
fonde many adventures, the whiche he brought to an 
ende, wherof the story maketh here no mencyon. Thenne 5 
he toke his waye to the see on a daye, and hit befelle as 
he passed by a castel where was a wonder turnement, 
but they withoute had done soo moche that they within 
were putte to the werse, yet were they wythin good 
knyghtes ynou^/z. Whanne Galahad sawe that tho within 10 
were at soo grete a meschyef that men slewe hem att the 
entre of the castel, thenne he thoughte to helpe hem, and 
putte a spere forth, and smote the fyrste that he flay to 
the erthe, and the spere brak to pyeces. Thenne he 
drewe his suerd and smote there as they were thyckest, 15 
and so he dyd wonderful dedes of armes, that alle they 
merveylled. Thenne hit happed that Gawayne and Sir 
Ector de Marys were with the knyghtes withoute. But 
whanne they aspyed the whyte shelde with the reed 
crosse, the one sayd to the other, " Yonder is the good 20 
knyght Sir Galahad the haute prynce. Now he shold be 
a grete foole whiche shold mete with hym to fyghte." 
Soo by adventure he came by Sire Gawayne, and he 
smote hym soo hard that he claf his helme and the coyfe 
of yron unto his hede, so that Gawayn felle to the erthe ; 25 
but the stroke was soo grete that it slented doune to the 
erthe, and carfe the hors sholder in two. Whan Ector 
sawe Gawayne doune, he drewe hym asyde, and thoughte 
it no w3^sedome for to abyde hym, and also for nature] love. 



122 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

that he was his unkel. Thus thurgh his grete hardynesse 
he bete abak alle the knyghtes withoute. And thenne 
they within cam oute and chaced hem alle aboute. But 
whanne Galahad sawe ther wold none torne ageyne, he 
5 stale awey pryvely, so that none wyst where he was 
bicome. " Now, by my hede," sayd Gawayn to Ector, 
" now are the wonders true that were sayd of Launcelot 
du Lake, that the swerd whiche stak in the stone shold 
gyve me suche a buffet thaX. I wold not have it for the 

10 best castell in this world, and sothely now hit is preved 
trewe, for never ere had I suche a stroke of mans hand." 
" Sir," sayd Ector, " me semeth your quest is done." 
"And yours is not done," sayd Gawayn, "but myn is 
done : I shalle seke noo ferther." Thenne Gawayn e was 

15 borne in to a castel, and unarmed hym, and leyd hym in 
a ryche bedde, and a leche fonde that he myght lyve, and 
to be hole within a moneth. 

Thus Gawayne and Ector abode to gyder, for Syre 
Ector wold not awey til Gawayne were hole. And the 

20 good kny^//t Galahad rode so long tyll he came that 
nyghte to the castel of Carboneck ; and hit befelle hym 
thus that he was benyghted in an hermytage. Soo the 
good man was fayne whan he sawe he was a knyght 
erraunt. Tho whan they were at rest, ther cam a gentil- 

25 woman knockyng at the dore and called Galahad, and 
soo the good man cam to the dore to wete what she wold. 
Thenne she called the heremyte, " Syre Ulfyn, I am a 
gentylwoman that wold speke with the knyght whiche is 
with yow." Thenne the good man awaked Galahad, and 

30 badde hym, " Aryse, and speke with a gentylwoman that 
semeth hath grete nede of yow." Thenne Galahad wente 
to her, and asked her what she wold. " Galahad," sayd 
she, " I will that ye arme you, and mou^^te upon your 
hors, and folowe me, for I shall shewe yow within these 



Chap. II.] GALAHAD ON THE SHIP. 123 

thre dayes the hyest adventure that ever ony knyght 
sawe." Anone Galahad armed hym, and took his hors, 
and commaunded hym to God, and badde the gentilwoman 
go and he wold folowe there as she lyked. 

Capttulum \\. 

Soo she rode as fast as her palfrey myght here her, 5 
tylle that she came to the see the whiche was called 
Collybe. And at the nyghte they came unto a castel in 
a valeye closed with a rennynge water, and with stronge 
walles and hyhe. And soo she entred in to the castel 
with Galahad, and there had he grete chere, for the lady 10 
of that castel was the damoysels lady. Soo whan he was 
unarmed, thenne said the damoysel, " Madame, shalle we 
abyde here all this day? " " Nay," sayd she, "but tylle 
he hath dyned, and tyl he hath slepte a lytyl." So he 
ete and slepte a whyle tyl that the mayde called hym, and 15 
armed hym by torche lyght. And whan the mayde was 
horsed, and he bothe, the lady took Galahad a fayr child 
and ryche, and so they departed from the castel, tyl they 
came to the see syde, and there they fond the shyp where 
Bors and Percy val were in, the whiche cryed on the shyps 20 
bord, " Sir Galahad, ye be welcome, we have abyden yow 
longe." And whan he herd them, he asked them what 
they were. " Sir," said she, " leve your hors here, and 
shall leve myn"; and toke her sadels and her brydels 
with them, and made a crosse on them, and soo entryd 25 
in to the shyp. And the two knyghtes receyved hem 
bothe with grete joye, and everyche knewe other, and soo 
the wynde aroos and drofe hem thurgh the see in a 
merveyllous place ; and within a whyle it dawyd. Thenne 
dyd Galahad of his helme and his suerd, and asked of 30 
his felawes from whens cam that fayre shyp. " Truly," 



124 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

sayd they, " ye wote as wel as we but of Goddes grace," 
And thenne they told everyche to other of alle theire 
hard adventures, and of her grete temptacyons. " Truly," 
sayd Galahad, " ye are moche bounden to God, for ye 
5 have escaped grete adventures, and had not the gentil- 
woman ben, 1 had not comen here ; for as for yow 1 wend 
never to have fond yow in these straunge countreyes." 
"A, Galahad," saide Bors, " yf Launcelot your fader were 
here thenne were we wel at ease, for thenne me semed 

lo we fayled no thynge." "That may not be," sayde Gala- 
had, "but yf it pleasyd oure Lorde." 

By thenne the shyp wente fro the londe of Logrys, and 
by adventure it arryved up betwix two roches passyng 
grete and merveyllous, but there they myght not londe, 

15 for there was a swalowe of the see, sauf there was another 
ship, and upon it they myght goo withoute daunger. 
"Goo we thyder," sayd the gentylwoman, "and there 
shalle we see adventures, for soo is oure Lordes wylle." 
And whanne they came thyder, they fond the ship ryche 

20 ynou^//, but they fond neyther man ne woman therin. 
But they fonde in the ende of the ship two fayre letters 
wryten, whiche sayd a dredeful word and a merveyllous : 
" Thow man whiche shalle entre in to this shyp, beware 
thou be in stedfast bileve, for I am Feith, and therfor 

25 beware hou thou entrest, for and thou faile I shal not 
helpe the." Thenne saide the ge;/tilwoman, " Percyval, 
wote ye what I am ? " " Certes," said [he], " nay, to my 
wetynge." " Wete you wel," sayd she, " that I am thy 
syster, whiche am doughter of kynge Pellenore. And 

30 therfore wete ye wel ye are the man in the world that I 
moost love. And yf ye be not in parfyte byleve of Jhesu 
Cryst, entre not in no maner of wyse, for thenne shold ye 
perysshe the shyp, for he is soo parfyte he wylle suffre 
no synner in hym." Whanne Percyval understode that 



Chap. III.] THE MAGIC SWORD. 125 

she was his veray syster, he was inwardly glad, and sayd, 
" Faire syster, I shalle entre therin, for yf I be a mys 
creature, or an untrue knyghte, there shalle I perysshe." 

Capitulum Uerctum* 

In the meane whyle Galahad blessed hym and entrid 
therin, and thenne next the gentylwoman, and thenne Sir 5 
Bors and Sir Percyval. And whan they were in, it was 
so merveyllous fayre and ryche that they merveylled. 
And in myddes of the shyp was a fayr bedde, and 
Galahad wente therto, and fond there a crowne of sylke. 
And at the feet was a swerd ryche and fayre, and hit was 10 
drawen oute of the shethe half a foot and more, and the 
suerd was of dyverse facyons, and the pomel was of stone, 
and there was in hym alle manere of colours that ony 
man myght fynde, and everyche of the colours hadde 
dyverse vertues ; and the skalys of the hafte were of two 15 
rybbes of dyverse beestes. The one beest was a serpent, 
whiche was conversaunt in Calydone, and is called the 
serpent of the fend. And the bone of hym is of suche a 
vertu that there is no hand that handeleth hym shalle 
never be wery nor hurte ; and the other beest is a fysshe, 20 
which is not ryght grete, and haunteth the flood of 
Eufrate, and that fysshe is called Ertanax, and his bones 
be of suche a maner of kynde that who that handeleth 
hem shalle have soo moche wille that he shalle never be 
wery, and he shalle not thynke on joye nor sorow that he 25 
hath had, but only that thynge that he beholdeth before 
hym. And as for this suerd there shalle never man 
begrype hym at the handels but one, but he shalle passe 
alle other. " In the name of God," said Percyval, '' I 
.shall assaye to handle hit." Soo he sette his hand to 30 
the suerd but he myghte not begrype hit. " By my 



126 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

feyth," said he, " now have I fayled." Bors set his hand 
therto and fayled. Thenne Galahad beheld the suerd 
and sawe letters lyke blood that sayd, " Lete see who 
shall assaye to drawe me oute of my shethe but yf he be 
5 more hardyer than ony other, and who that draweth me 
wete ye wel that he shalle never fayle of shame of his 
body or to be wounded to the dethe." " By my feyth," 
said Galahad, " 1 wold drawe this suerd oute of the 
shethe, but the offendynge is soo grete that 1 shalle not 

lo sette my hand therto," " Now, sirs," said the gentil- 
woman, " wete ye wel that the drawynge of this suerd is 
warned to alle men sauf al only to yow." 

" Also this shyp aryved in the realme of Logrys, and 
that tyme was dedely werre bytwene kynge Labor, whiche 

15 was fader unto the maymed kynge, and kynge Hurlame, 
whiche was a Sarasyn. But thenne was he newely 
crystend, soo that men helde hym afterward one of the 
wyttyest men of the world. And soo upon a day hit 
befelle that kynge Labor and kynge Hurlame had 

20 assembled their folke upon the see where this shyp was 
aryved, and there kyng Hurlame was discomfyte, and his 
men slayne, and he was aferd to be dede, and fled to his 
shyp, and there he fond this suerd and drewe hit, and 
cam oute and fond kyng Labor, the man in the world of 

25 al Crystendom in whome was thenne the grettest feythe. 
And when kynge Hurlame sawe kynge Labor, he dressid 
this suerd, and smote hym upon the helme soo hard that 
he clafe hym and his hors to the erthe with the fyrst 
stroke of his suerd ; and hit was in the realme of Logrys. 

30 And soo bifelle grete pestylence and grete harme to both 
realmes, for sythen encrecyd neyther corne ne grasse, nor 
wel nyghe no fruyte, ne in the water was no fysshe ; 
w[h]erfor men callen hit the landes of the two marches, 
the waste land, for that dolorous stroke. And when 



Chap. IV. J THE MAGIC GIRDLE. 127 

kynge Hurlame sawe this suerd soo kervyng, he torned 
ageyne to fetche the scaubard ; and soo came in to this 
shyp and entred and putt up the suerd in the shethe. 
And as soone as he had done it, he felle doune dede 
afore the bedde. Thus was the swerd preved, that none 5 
ne drewe it but he were dede or maymed. So laye he 
ther tyl a mayden cam in to the shyp and cast hym oute, 
for there was no man so hardy of the world to entre in to 
shypthat^ for the defence." 

Capttulum (Siuartum, 

And thenne beheld they the scaubard; hit semed to 10 
be of a serpentes skynne. And theron were letters of 
gold and sylver, and the gyrdel was but pourely to come 
to, and not able to susteyne suche a ryche suerd, and the 
letters sayd : " He whiche shal welde me oughte to be 
more harder than ony other, yf he bere me as truly as me 15 
oughte to be born. For the body of hym whiche I oughte 
to hange by he shal not be shamed in no place whyle he 
is gyrd with this gyrdel, nor never none be soo hardy to 
doo awey this gyrdel, for it oughte not be done away but 
by the handes of a mayde, and that she be a kynges 20 
doughter and quenes, and she must be a mayde alle the 
dayes of her lyf, bothe in wylle and in dede. And yf she 
breke her vyrgynte, she shalle dye the moost vylaynous 
dethe that ever dyd ony woman." " Sir," said Percyval, 
" torne this suerd that we may see what is on the other 25 
syde." And hit was reed as blood, with blak letters as 
ony cole, whiche sayd, '' He that shal prayse me moost, 
moost shalle he fynde me to blame at a grete nede, and 
to whome I shold be moost debonair shall I be most 
felon, and that shalle be at one tyme." " Faire broder," 30 

i Read that ship. 



]28 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII 

sayd she to Percyval, " it befelle after a fourty yere after 
the passion of Jhesu Cryst, that Nacyen, thy^ broder in 
lawe of kyng Mordrayns, was boren in to a towne more 
than xiiij dayes journeye from his countrey by the com- 

5 maundement of our Lord in to an yle, in to the partyes 
of the west that men clepyd the Yle of Turnaunce. Soo 
befelle hit that he fond this shyp at the entre of a roche, 
and he fond the bedde and his suerd as we have herd 
now. Not for thenne he had not soo moche hardynesse 

lo to drawe hit ; and there he dwellid an eyght dayes, and 
at the nynythe day there felle a grete wynde, whiche 
departed hym out of the yle, and brought hym to another 
yle by a roche, and there he fond the grettest gyaunt that 
ever man myghte see. Therwith cam that horryble 

15 gyaunt to slee hym, and thenne he loked aboute hym 
aad^ myghde not flee, and he had no thynge to defende 
hym with. Soo he ranne to his suerd, and when he sawe 
hit naked he praysed it moche ; and thenne he shoke it, 
and therwith he brak it in the myddes. * A,' said Nacyen, 

20 ' the thyng that I moost praysed ought I now moost to 
blame '; and ther with he threwe the pyeces of his suerd 
over his bedde. And after he lepte over the borde to 
fyghte with we ^gyaunt, and slewe hym. And anone he 
entryd in to the shyp ageyne, and the wynde arose, and 

25 drofe hym thurgh the see, that by adventure he came to 
another shyp where kynge Mordrayns was, whiche hadde 
ben tempted ful evyll with a fende in the porte of peryl- 
lous roche. And whanne that one sawe the other they 
made grete joye of other, and eyther told other of their 

30 adventure, and how the swerd fay led hym at his moost 
nede. Whanne Mordrayns sawe the suerd he praysed 
hit moche, ' but the brekyng was not to doo but by 
wyckednes of thy self ward, for thow arte in somme 

^ Read the. ^ Read and myghte. ^ Read the. 



Chap. V.] NACYEN AND THE SWORD. 129 

synne,' and there he took the suerd and sette the pecys 
to gyders, and they soudered as fayr as ever they were to 
fore, and there putte he the swerd in the shethe, and leyd 
it doune on the bedde. Thenne herd they a voyce that 
sayd, ' Go out of this ship a lytel whyle, and entre in to 5 
the other for drede ye falle in dedely synne ; for, and ye 
be fonde in dedely synne, ye maye not escape but 
perysshe,' and soo they wente in to the other sh)^. And 
as Nacyen wente over the borde he was smyten with a 
swerd on the ryghte foote, that he felle doune noselynge 10 
to the shyps bord ; and there withe he sayd, * O God, 
how am I hurte,' and thenne there came a voyce and 
sayd, ' Take thow that for thy forfette that thow dydest 
in drawynge of this suerd, therfor thow receyvest a 
wounde, for thow were never worthy to handel it,' the 15 
wrytynge maketh mencyon." " In tlie name of God," 
said Galahad, " ye ar ry^//t wyse of these werkes." 

Capitulum x>, 

" Syr," sayd she, *' there was a kynge that hyghte 
Pelles the maymed kynge. And whyle he myghte ryde 
he supported moche Crystendome and holy chirche, Soo 20 
upon a daye he hunted in a woode of his whiche lasted 
unto the see, and at the last he loste his houndes and his 
knyghtes, sauf only one, and there he and his knyghte 
wente tyl that they cam toward Irland, and there he fonde 
the shyp. And whanne he sawe the letters and under- 25 
stood them, yet he entryd, for he was ryghte parfyte of 
his lyf ; but his knyghte had none hardynes to entre. 
And ther fonde he this suerd, and drewe it oute as moche 
as ye maye see. Soo there with entryd a spere, where 
with he was smyte hym^ thurgh bothe the thyes, and 3° 

1 Omit. 



130 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

never sythe myghte he be helyd, ne nought shall to fore 
we come to hym. Thus," said she, '' was not kynge 
Pelles, your graunte sir, maymed for his hardy nesse ? " 
" In the name of God, damoysel," sayd Galahad. So 
5 they wente toward the bedde to behold al aboute hit, and 
above the hede ther henge two swerdes. Also there were 
two spyndels whiche were as whyte as ony snowe, and 
other that were as reed as blood, and other above grene 
as ony emeraude : of these thre colours were the spyndels 

lo and of naturel coloure within, and withoute ony payntynge. 
" These spyndels," sayd the damoysel, '' were whan synful 
Eve came to gadre fruyte, for whiche Adam and she were 
putte oute of Paradyse ; she tooke with her the bough on 
whiche the appel henge on. Thenne perceyved she that 

15 the braunche was fayre and grene, and she remembryd 
her the losse whiche came fro the tree. Thenne she 
thoughte to kepe the braunche as longe as she myghte. 
And for she had no cofer to kepe hit in, she put it in the 
erthe. Soo by the wylle of our Lord the braunche grewe 

20 to a grete tree within a lytil whyle, and was as whyte as 
ony snowe, brau;^ches, bowes, and leves, that was a token 
a mayden planted hit. But after God came to Adam, 
and bad hym knowe his wyf flesshly as nature requyred. 
Soo lay Adam with his wyf under the same tree ; and 

25 anone the tree whiche was whyte and^ ful grene as ony 
grasse, and alle that came oute of hit. And in the same 
tyme that they medled to gyders there was Abel begoten : 
thus was the tree longe of grene colour. And so it 
befelle many dayes after, under the same tree Caym 

30 slewe Abel, wherof befelle grete merveil. For anone as 
Abel had receyved the dethe under the grene tree, he 
lost the grene colour and becam reed, and that was in 
tokenyng of the blood. And anone alle the plantes dyed 

^ Read becam ? 



Chap. VI.] THE STORY OF THE SPINDLES. 131 

therof, but the tree grewe and waxed merveyllously fayre, 
and hit was the fayrest tree and the moost delectable 
that ony man myght beholde and see, and so dyd the 
plantes that grewe out of it tofore that Abel was slayne 
under it. Soo longe dured the tree tyl that Salamon 5 
kynge Davyds sone regned, and helde the londe after his 
fader. This Salamon was wyse, and knewe alle the 
vertues of stones and trees, and soo he knewe the course 
of the sterres, and many other dy verse thynges." 

''This Salamon had an evylle wyfe, where thurgh he 10 
wende that there had ben no good woman, and soo he 
despysed hem in his bookes. Soo ansuerd a voyce hym 
ones, ' Salamon, yf hevynes come to a man by a woman, 
ne reke thow never. P'or yet shalle there come a woman 
wherof there shalle come gretter joye to man an honderd 15 
tymes more than this hevynesse geveth sorowe, and that 
woman shalle be borne of thy lygnage.' Tho whan 
Salamon herd these wordes, he held hym self but a foole, 
and the trouthe he perceyved by old bookes. Also the 
Holy Ghoost shewed hym the comynge of the gloryous 20 
Vyrgyne Marye. Thenne asked he of the voyce yf hit 
shold be in the yerde of his lygnage. ' Nay,' sayd the 
voyce, ' but there shalle come a man whiche shalle be a 
mayde, and the last of your blood, and he shalle be as 
good a knyght as duke Josue thy broder in lawe.' " 25 

Capttulum vj- 

" Now have I certefyed the of that thow stodest in 
doubte. Thenne was Salamon glad that there shold 
come ony suche of his lygnage, but ever he merveylled 
and studyed who that shold be, and what his name 
myghte be. His wyf perceyved that he studyed, and 3° 
thoughte she wolde knowe it at some season, and so she 



132 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

wayted her tyme, and asked of hym the cause of his 
studyenge. And there he told her alle to gyder how the 
voyce tolde hym. 'Wei,' sayd she, ' I shalle lete make a 
shyp of the best wood and moost durable that men maye 
5 fynde.' Soo Salamon sente for alle the carpenters of the 
lond and the best. And whan they had made the shyp, 
the lady sayd to Salamon, ' Syr,' sayd she, ' syn hit is soo 
that this knyght ou^/^te to passe all knyghtes of chevalry 
whiche have ben to fore hym and shall come after hym, 

to more over I shalle telle yow,' sayd she, 'ye shalle goo in 
to oure Lordes temple, where is kynge Davyds suerd, 
your fader, the whiche is the merveylloust and the sharp- 
est that ever was taken in ony knyghtes hand. Therfore 
take that, and take of the pomel, and therto make ye a 

15 pomel of precyous stones, that it be soo subtylly made 
that noo man perceyve it, but that they be al one. And 
after make there an hylte soo merveyllously and wonderly 
that noo man maye knowe hit. And after make a 
merveyllous sheth. And whan ye have made alle this, I 

20 shalle lete make a gyrdel ther to, suche as shalle please 
me.' Alle this kynge Salamon dyd lete make as she 
devysed, bothe the shyp and alle the remenaunt. And 
whan the ship was redy in the see to sayle, the lady lete 
make a grete bedde, and merveyllous ryche, and sette her 

25 upon the beddes hede coverd with sylke, and leyd the 
suerd at the feete, and the gyrdels were of hempe, and 
there with the kynge was angry. ' Syr, wete ye wel,' sayd 
she, ' that I have none soo hyghe a thynge whiche were 
worthy to susteyne soo hyhe a suerd, and a mayde shall 

30 brynge other knyghtes ther to, but I wote not whanne hit 
shalle be, ne what tyme.' And there she lete make a 
coverynge to the shyp, of clothe of sylke that shold never 
rote for no maner of weder. Yet went that lady and 
maade a carpenter to come to the tree whiche Abel was 



Chap. VII.] KING SOLOMON AND HIS WIFE. 133 

slayne under. ' Now,' sayd she, ' carve me oute of this 
tree as moche woode as wylle make me a spyndyl.' 'A, 
madame,' sayd he, ' this is the tree the whiche our fyrst 
moder planted.' 'Do hit,' sayd she, 'or els I shall des- 
troye the ! ' Anone as he beganne to werke ther cam out 5 
droppes of blood, and thenne wold he have lefte, but she 
wold not suffre hym, and soo he tooke aweye as moche 
wood as my^/^te make a spyndyl, and soo she made hym 
to take as moche of the grene tree, and of the whyte tree. 
And whan these thre spyndels were shapen, she made 10 
hem to be fastned upon the selar of the bedde. Whanne 
Salamone sawe this, he sayd to his wyf, ' Ye have done 
merveyllously, for though alle the world were here ryght 
now, he coude not devyse wherfor alle this was made, 
but oure Lord hym self, and thow that hast done hit 15 
wotest not what it shal betoken.' ' Now late hit be,' sayd 
she, 'for ye shal here tydynges sooner than ye wene.' " 

" Now shalle ye here a wonderful tale of kyng Salamon 
and his wyf." 

Capitulum vij, 

"That nyght lay Salamon bifore the ship with lytel 20 
felauship. And whan he was on slepe, hym thoughte 
there come from heven a grete company of angels, and 
alyghte in to the ship, and took water whiche was 
broughte by an angel in a vessel of sylver, and sprente 
alle the shyp. And after he came to the suerd, and 25 
drewe letters on the hylte. And after wente to the shyps 
borde, and wrote there other letters, whiche sayd : ' Thou 
man that wylt entre within me, beware that thow be ful 
within the feythe, for I ne am but feythe and byleve.' 
Whanne Salamon aspyed these letters he was abasshed, 30 
soo that he durste not entre, and soo drewe hym abak, 



134 ' LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVlf. 

and the shyp was anone shoven in the see, and he wente 
soo faste that he lost syghte of hym within a lytyl whyle. 
And thenne a lytyl voyce said, ' Salamon, the last knyghte 
of thy lygnage shalle reste in this bedde.' Thenne wente 
5 -Salamon and awaked his wyf, and told her of the adven- 
tures of the shyp." 

Now sayth thystory, that a grete whyle the thre felawes 
biheld the bedde and the thre spyndels. Than they were 
at certayne that they were of naturel colours, withoute 

10 payntynge. Thenne they lefte up a clothe whiche was 
above the ground, and there fond a ryche purse by 
semynge. And Percyvale took hit, and fonde therin a 
wrytte, and soo he redde hit, and devysed the maner of 
the spyndels and of the shyp, whens hit came, and by 

15 whome it was made. '' Now," sayd Galahad, "where 
'shall we fynde the gentylwoman that shalle make newe 
gyrdels to the suerd ? " " Fair syre," sayd Percyvals 
syster, " desmaye yow not ; for by the leve of God I shall 
lete make a gyrdel to the suerd, suche one as shalle longe 

20 therto." And thenne she opend a boxe, and toke oute 
gyrdels which were semely wroughte with golden thredys, 
and upon that were sette ful precyous stones, and a ryche 
buckel of gold. " Lo, lordes," said she, " here is a gyrdel 
that oughte to be sette aboute the suerd. And wete ye 

25 wel the grettest parte of this gyrdel was made of my here, 
whiche I loved wel whyle that I was a woman of the 
world. But as soone as I wyst that this adventure was 
ordeyned me, I clypped of my here and made this gyrdel 
in the name of God." " Ye be wel y-fonde," said Sir 

30 Bors, " for certes ye have put us out of grete payne, 
wherin we shold have entryd ne had your tydynges ben." 
Thenne wente the gentilwoman and sette hit on the 
gyrdel of the suerd. " Now," sayd the felauship, " what 
is the name of the suerd, and what shalle we calle hit .'' " 



Chap. VIII.] GALAHAD RECEIVES THE SWORD. 135 

" Truly," sayd she, " the name of the suerd is, the Suerd 
with the Straunge Gyrdels, and the shethe, Mever of 
Blood ; for noo man that hath blood in hym ne shalle 
never see the one party of the shethe whiche was made 
of the tree of lyf." Thenne they sayd to Galahad, " In 5 
the name of Jhesu Cryste, and praye yow that ye gyrd 
you with this suerd, whiche hath ben desyred so moche 
in the realme of Logrys." '' Now lete me begynne," 
sayd Galahad, '' to grype thys swerd for to gyve yow 
courage. But wete ye wel hit longeth no more to me 10 
than it doth to yow." And thenne he gryped aboute hit 
with his fyngers a grete dele. And thenne she gyrte hym 
aboute the myddel with the swerd. " Now rek I not 
though I dye, for now I hold me one of the blessid 
maydens of the world, whiche hath made the worthyest 15 
knyght of the world." " Damoysel," sayd Galahad, ''ye 
have done soo moche that I shalle be your knyghte alia 
the dayes of my lyf." Thenne they wente from that 
shyp, and wente to the other. And anone the wynde 
droofe hem in to the see a grete paas, but they had no 20 
vytaille ; but hit befelle that they came on the morne to 
a castell that men calle Carteloyse, that was in the 
marches of Scotla//d. And whan they had passed the 
porte, the gentilwoman sayde, " Lordes, here be men 
aryven that, and they wyste that ye were of kynge Arthurs 25 
courte, ye shold be assayled anone." " Damoysell," sayd 
Galahad, " he that cast us oute of the roche shalle 
delyver us from hem." 

Capitulum ©ctavurn, 

Soo hit befelle, as they spoken thus there cam a squyer 
by them, and asked what they were ; and they said they 3° 
were of kynge Arthurs hows. " Is that sothe ? " sayd he. 



136 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

" Now by my hede," sayd he, "ye be ylle arayed"; and 
thenne torned he ageyn unto the clyff fortresse. And 
within a whyle they herd an home blowe. Thenne a 
gentylwoman came to hem, and asked hem of whens 

5 they were, and they told her. " Faire lordes," sayd she, 
" for Goddes love torne ageyne yf ye may, for ye be come 
unto youre dethe." " Nay," they sayd, " we wille not 
torne ageyne, for he shalle helpe us in whos servyse we 
ben entred in." Thenne as they stode talkynge there 

10 came knyghtes wel armed, and bad hem yelde them, or 
els to dye. " That yeldyng," sayd they, " shal be noyous 
to yow " ; and there with they lete theyr horses renne, and 
Sir Percyval smote the formest to the erthe, and took his 
hors, and mounted therupon, and the same dyd Galahad. 

15 Also Bors served another soo ; for they had no horses in 
that countrey, for they lefte their horses whan they toke 
their shyp in other countrayes. And soo whan they were 
horsed thenne beganne they to sette upon them, and they 
of the castel fled in to the stronge fortresse, and the thre 

20 knyghtes after them in to the castel, and soo alyghte on 
foote, and with their swerdes slewe them doune, and gate 
in to the halle. Thenne whan they beheld the grete 
multytude of peple that they had slayne they held them 
self grete synners. " Certes," sayd Bors, " I wene and 

25 God had loved hem that we shold not have had power to 
have slayne hem thus, but they have done soo moche 
ageyn our Lord that he wold not suffre hem to regne no 
lenger." " Say ye not soo," sayd Galahad, "for yf they 
mysdyd ageynst God the vengeaunce is not ours, but to 

30 hym whiche hath power therof." 

So came there oute of a chamber a good man whiche 
was a preest, and bare Goddes body in a coupe. And 
whanne he sawe hem whiche lay dede in the halle, he 
was alle abasshed. And Galahad dyd of his helme and 



Chap. VIII.] THE CASTLE OF EARL HERNOX. 137 

kneled doune, and soo dyd his two felawes. " Syre," 
sayd they, '' have ye no drede of us, for we ben of kynge 
Arthurs courte." Thenne asked the good man how they 
were slayn so sodenly, and they told it hym. " Truly," 
sayd the good man, '' and ye myghte lyve as longe as the 5 
world myght endure, ne myghte ye have done soo grete 
an almesse dede as this." " Sire," sayd Galahad, " I 
repente me moch, in a^ moche as they were crystened." 
"Nay, repente yow not," sayd he, ''for they were not 
crystened ; and I shalle telle you hou that I wote of this 10 
castel : Here was lord erle Hernox not but one yere, and 
he had thre sones, good knyghtes of amies, and a 
doughter, the fayrest gentylwoman that men knewe. Soo 
tho thre knyghtes loved theyr syster so sore that they 
brente in love, and so they lay by her maulgre her hede. 15 
And for she cryed to her fader, they slewe her, and took 
their fader and putte hym in pryson, and wou;/ded hym 
nygh to the deth ; but a cosyn of hers rescowed hym. 
And thenne dyd they grete untrouthe : they slewe clerkes 
and preestes, and made bete doune chappels, that oure 20 
Lordes servyse myght not be served ne sayd ; and this 
same day her fader sente to me for to be confessid and 
houseld, but suche shame had never man as I had this 
day with the thre bretheren ; but the erle badde me 
suffer, for he sayde they shold not longe endure, for thre 25 
servauntes of oure Lord shold destroye them ; and now 
hit is brought to an ende. And by this maye ye wete 
our Lord is not displeasyd with your dedes." '' Certes," 
sayd Galahad, " and hit had not pleasyd our Lord, never 
shold we have slayne soo many men in soo lytel a whyle." 30 
And thenne they broughte the erle Hernox oute of pryson 
in to the myddes of the halle, that knewe Galahad anone, 
and yet he sawe hym never afore but by revelacyon of 
our Lord. 



138 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVII. 



Capttulum 1^, 

Thenne beganne he to wepe ryght tendyrly, and said, 
" Long have I abyden your comynge, but for Goddes love 
holdeth me in your amies, that my sowle may departe 
oute of my body in soo good a mans armes as ye be." 
5 " Gladly," sayd Galahad. And thenne one sayd on 
hyghe that alle herde, " Galahad, wel hast thou avenged 
me on Goddes enemyes. Now behoveth the to goo to 
the maymed kyng as soone as thow maist, for he shalle 
receyve by the helthe whiche he hath abyden soo long"; 

lo and ther with the sowle departed from the body. And 
Galahad made hym to be buryed as hym ought to be. 

Ryght soo departed the thre knyghtes, and Percyvals 
syster with them. And soo they came in to a waste 
foreste, and there they sawe afore them a whyte herte, 

15 whiche four lyons ladde. Thenne they took hem to 
assent for to folowe after, for to knowe whydder they 
repayred ; and soo they rode after, a grete paas, til that 
they cam to a valeye, and ther by was an hermytage 
where a good man dwellid, and the herte and the lyons 

20 entryd also. Soo whanne they sawe all this, they torned 
to the chappel, and sawe the good man in a relygyous 
wede and in the armour of our Lord, for he wold synge 
masse of the Holy Ghoost, and soo they entryd in and 
herde masse. And at the secretys of the masse, they 

25 thre sawe the hert become a man, the whiche merveyled 
hem, and sette hym upon the aulter in a ryche sege, and 
sawe the four lyons were chaunged, the one to the forme 
of a man, the other to the forme of a lyon, and the thyrd 
to an egle, and the fourth was chaunged unto an oxe. 

30 Thenne toke they her sege where the herte sat, and wente 
oute thurgh a glas wyndowe, and there was no thynge 



Chap. IX.] THE MEANING OF THE WHITE HART. 139 

perysshed nor broken. And they herd a voyce say, " In 
suche a maner entred the sone of God in the wombe of 
a mayd, Mary, whos vyrgynyte ne was perysshed ne 
hurte." And whanne they herd these wordes they felle 
doune to the erthe, and were astonyed, and ther with was 5 
a grete clerenes. And whanne they were come to their 
self ageyn, they wente to the good man, and prayd hym 
that he wold say hem trouthe. '* What thynge have ye 
sene ? " sayd he : and they told hym all that they had 
sene. '' A, lordes," sayd he, "ye be welcome; now wote lo 
I wel ye be the good knyghtes the whiche shal brynge 
the Sancgreal to an ende ; for ye ben they unto whome 
oure Lord shalle shewe grete secretes. And wel oughte 
oiire Lord be sygnefyed to an herte ; for the herte 
whanne he is old he waxeth yonge ageyne in hys whyte 15 
skynne. Ryght soo cometh ageyne oure Lord from dethe 
to lyf, for he lost erthely flesshe, that was the dedely 
flesshe whyche he had taken in the wombe of the blessid 
Vyrgyn Mary, and for that cause appiered oure Lord as 
a whyte herte withoute spot. And the foure that were 20 
with hym is to understande the foure Evvangelystes, 
whiche sette in wrytynge a parte of Jhesu Crystes dedes 
that he dyd somtyme whan he was amonge yow an erthely 
man ; for wete ye wel never erst ne myghte no knyghte 
knowe the trouthe, for oftymes or this oure Lord shewed 25 
hym unto good men and unto good knyghtes in lykenes 
of an herte. But I suppose from hens forth ye shalle see 
no more." And thenne they joyed moche, and dwelled 
ther alle that day. And upon the morowe whan they had 
herde masse they departed, and commaunded the good 30 
man to God, and soo they came to a castel, and passed 
by. So there came a knyghte armed after them and sayd, 
" Lordes, herke what I shal saye to yow," 



140 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 



Capitulum x. 

" This gentylwoman that ye lede with yow is a mayde ?" 
"Syr," said she, ''a mayde I am." Theiine he took her 
by the brydel and sayd, " By the holy crosse ye shalle not 
escape me to fore ye have yolden the customme of this 
5 castel." " Lete her go," sayd Percyval, " ye be not wyse, 
for a mayde in what place she cometh is free." Soo in 
the meane whyle there came oute a ten or twelve knyghtes 
armed oute of the castel, and with hem came gentyl- 
wymmen whiche held a dysshe of sylver. And thenne 

10 they sayd, " This gentylwoman must yelde us the customme 
of this castel." ''Sir," sayd a knyghte, "what mayde 
passeth here by shalle yeve this dysshe ful of blood of 
her ryghte arme." " Blame have he," sayd Galahad, 
" that broughte up suche custommes, and soo God me 

15 save 1 ensure yow of this gentylwoman ye shal fayle 
whyle that I lyve." " Soo God me help," sayd Percyval, 
" I had lever be slayne." " And I also," sayd Sir Bors. 
"By my trouthe," sayd the knyght, "thenne shalle ye 
dye, for ye maye not endure ageynste us, though ye were 

20 the best knyghtes of the world." Thenne lete they renne 
eche to other, and the thre felawes bete the ten knyghtes, 
and thenne sette theire handes to their swerdes, and bete 
them doune and slewe them. Thenne there came oute 
of the castel a thre score knyghtes armed. " Faire 

25 lordes," sayd the thre felawes, "have mercy on youre 
selfe, and have not adoo with us." " Nay, fayre lordes," 
sayd the knyghtes of the castel, " we counceyl yow to 
withdrawe yow, for ye ben the best knyghtes of the world, 
and therfore doo no more, for ye have done ynough. We 

30 wille lete yow go with this harme, but we tnust nedes 
have the customme." " Certes," sayd Galahad, " for 



Chap. XL] THE CUSTOM OF A CASTLE. 141 

nought speke ye." "Wei," sayd they, " wille ye dye?" 
'* We be not yet come therto," sayd Galahad. The/^ne 
beganne they to medle to gyders, and Galahad with the 
straimge gyrdels drewe his suerd, and smote on the ryght 
hand and on the lyfte hand, and slewe what that ever 5 
abode hym, and dyd suche merveils that there was none 
that sawe hym [but] they wend he had ben none erthely 
man but a monstre, and his two felawes halp hym passyng 
wel. And soo they held the journey everyche in lyke 
hard tyl it was ny^/zt. Thenne must they nedes departe. 10 
So cam in a good knyghte and sayd to the thre felawes, 
" Yf ye wyll come in to nyght, and take suche herberowe 
as here is, ye shal be ryght welcome ; and we shall ensure 
yow by the feyth of our bodyes, and as we be true 
knyghtes, to leve yow in suche estat to morowe as we 15 
fynde yow, withoute ony falshede. And as soone as ye 
knowe of the custome we dare say ye wyll accorde." 
" Therfor, for Goddes love," said the gentylwoman, "goo 
thyder and spare not for me." " Go we," sayd Galahad, 
and soo they entryd in to the chappel. And when they 20 
were alyghte they made grete joye of hem. Soo within a 
whyle the thre knyghtes asked the customme of the 
castel, and wherefor it was. " What hit is," sayd they, 
" we wille saye yow sothe." 

Capttulum ts* 

" Ther is in this castel a gentylwoman whiche we 25 
and this castel is hers, and many other. Soo it befelle 
many yeres agone there fylle upon her a maladye. 
And whanne she had layne a grete whyle, she felle unto 
a mesel, and of no leche she coude have no remedy. But 
at the last an old man sayd, and she myght have a dysshe 30 
ful of blood of a mayde and a clene vyrgyn in wylle and 



142 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

in werke, and a kynges doughter, that blood shold be her 
hele ; and for to anoynte her with alia, and for this 
thynge was this customme made." " Now," said Percy- 
vals sister, " fayr kny^/^tes, I see wel that this gentyl- 
5 woman is but dede." " Cartes," sayd Galahad, " and ye 
blede soo moche ye maye dye." "Truly," sayd she, 
" and I dye for to hele her, I shal gete me grete worship 
and sowles helthe, and worshyp to my lygnage ; and 
better is one harme than tweyn. And therfor thar shall 

lo be no more batail, but to morne I shall yelde yow your 
customme of this castel." And thenne there was grete 
joye more than there was to fore. For els had there ben 
mortal werre upon the morne, not withstandyng she wold 
none other whether they wold or nold. That nyght were 

15 the thre felawes easyd with the bast, and on the morne 
they herd masse, and Sir Percyvals sister bad brynge 
forth the seke lady. So she was, the whiche was evylla 
at ease. Thenne sayd she, " Who shall lete me blood ? " 
Soo one came forth and lete her blood, and she bled soo 

20 moche that the dysshe was ful. Thenne she lyfte up her 
hand and blessid her. And thenne she said to the lady, 
" Madame, I am come to the dethe for to make yow hole ; 
for Goddes love prayeth for me." With that she felle in 
a swoune. Thenne Galahad and his two felawes starte 

25 up to her, and lyfte her up and staunched her ; but she 
had bled soo moche that she myght not lyve. Thenne 
she sayd whan she was awaked, " Fayre broder Percyval, 
I dye for the helynge of this lady. Soo I requyre yow 
that ye berye me not in this countrey, but as soone as I 

30 am dede put me in a bote at the next haven, and lete me 
goo as adventure will lede me. And as soone as ye thre 
come to the cyte of Sarras ther to encheve the Holy 
Graile, ye shalle fynde me under a towre arryved, and 
there bery me in the spyrytual place ; for \ saye yow soo 



CHAP. XL] DEATH OF PERCEVAVS SISTER. 



143 



moche, there Galahad shalle be buryed, and ye also, in 
the same place." Thenne Percy val understood these 
wordes, and graunted it her wepynge. And thenne sayd 
a voyce, " Lordes and felawes, to morowe at the houre of 
pryme ye thre shalle departe everyche from other tyl the 5 
adventure brynge yow to the maymed kynge." Thenne 
asked she her Saveour, and as soone as she had receyved 
hit, the soule departed from the body. Soo the same 
daye was the lady helyd whan she was enoynted with 
alle. Thenne Syr Percyvale made a letter of all that she 10 
had holpen hem as in straunge adventures, and put hit 
in her ryght hand and soo leyd her in a barge, and coverd 
it with blak sylke ; and so the wynde aroos, and drofe 
the barge from the lond, and alle knyghtes beheld hit tyl 
it was oute of their syghte. ^5 

Thenne they drewe alle to the castel, and soo forthe 
with ther felle a sodeyne tempest, and thonder, layte, and 
rayne as alle the erthe wold have broken. Soo half the 
castel torned up soo doune ; soo it passed evensonge or 
the tempest was seaced. Thenne they sawe afore hem a 20 
knyghte armed and wounded hard in the body and in the 
hede, that sayd, '' O God, socoure me, for now it is nede." 
After this knyght came another knyghte and a dwerf 
whiche cryed to hem afer, " Stand ! ye may not escape." 
Thenne the wounded knyghte held up his handes to God, 25 
that he shold not dye in suche trybulacyon. ''Truly," 
sayd Galahad, " I shalle socoure hym for his sake that he 
calleth upon." "Sir," said Bors, "I shalle doo hit, for 
it is not for yow, for he is but one knyghte." " Sir," 
sayd he, " I graunte." So Sir Bors toke his hors, and 30 
commaunded hym to God, and rode after to rescowe the 
wounded knyghte. 
. Now torne we to the tw^ felawes. 



144 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVII. 



Capttulum i\\. 

Now saith the story that al nyght Galahad and Percy- 
val were in a chappel in her prayers, for to save Sir Bors. 
Soo on the morowe they dressid hem in theire harneis 
toward the castel, to wete what was fallen of them there 

5 in. And when they cam there, they fond neyther man 
ne woman that he ne was dede by the vengeaunce of oure 
Lord. With that they herd a voyce that sayd, " This 
vengeaunce is for blood shedynge of maydens." Also 
they fonde atte ende of the chappel a chirche yard, and 

lo therin myght they see a thre score fair tombes, and that 
place was soo fayre and soo delectable that it semed hem 
there had ben none tempest. For there lay the bodyes 
of alle the good maydens whiche were martred for the 
seke ladyes sake. Also they fond the names of everyche, 

15 and of what blood they were come, and alle were of 
kynges blood, and twelve of them were kynges doughters. 
Thenne they departed, and wente in to a foreste. " Now," 
said Percyval unto Galahad, '' we must departe ; soo pray 
we oure Lord that we maye mete to gyders in short tyme." 

20 Thenne they dyd of their helmes, and kyssed to gyder, 
and wepte at their departynge. 

Capitulum jtij. 

Now sayth the history, that whan Launcelot was come 
to the water of Mortoyse, as hit is reherced before, he 
was in grete perylle, and soo he leyd hym doune and 
25 slepte, and toke the adventure that God wold sende hym. 
Soo whan he was a slepe, there came a vysyon unto 
hym and said, " Launcelot, aryse up and take thyn 
armour, and entre in to the first ship that thow shalt 



Chap. XIII.] THE IVANDERIJVG SHIP. 145 

fynde." And when he herd these wordes, he starte up 
and sawe grete clerenes about hym. And thenne he 
lyfte up his hande and blessid hym, and so toke his 
armes, and made hym redy. And soo by adventure he 
came by a stronde, and fonde a shyp the which was 5 
withoute sayle or ore. And as soone as he was within 
the shyp, there he felte the moost swetnes that ever he 
felt ; and he was fulfylled with alle thynge that he thought 
on or desyred. Thenne he sayd, " Fair swete Fader 
Jhesu Cryst, I wote not in what joye I am, for this joye 10 
passeth alle erthely joyes that ever I was in." And soo 
in this joye he leyd hym doune to the shyps borde and 
slepte tyl day. And when he awoke, he fonde there a 
fayre bed, and therin lyenge a gentylwoman dede, the 
whiche was Syr Percyvals syster. And as Launcelot 15 
devysed her, he aspyed in hir ryght hand a wrytte, the 
whiche he redde, the whiche told hym all the adventures 
that ye have herd to fore, and of what lygnage she was 
come. Soo with this gentylwoman Sir Launcelot was a 
moneth and more. Yf ye wold aske how he lyved, he 20 
that fedde the peple of Israel with manna in deserte, soo 
was he fedde. For every day when he had sayd his 
prayers, he was susteyned with the grace of the Holy 
Ghoost. 

So on a nyghte he wente to playe hym by the water 25 
syde, for he was somwhat wery of the shyp. And thenne 
he lystned and herd an hors come, and one rydynge upon 
hym. And whanne he cam nygh he semed a knyghte. 
And soo he lete hym passe, and wente there as the shyp 
was, and there he alyghte, and toke the sadel and the 30 
brydel and putte the hors from hym, and went in to the 
ship. And thenne Launcelot dressid unto hym and said, 
" Ye be welcome." And he ansuerd and sale wed hym 
ageyne, and asked hym, " What is your name .? for moche 



146 ^ LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVlI. 

my hert gyveth unto yow." " Truly," sayd he, " my name 
is Launcelot du Lake." " Sir," saide he, '' the;me be ye 
welcome, for ye were the begynner of me in this world." 
" A," sayd he, '' ar ye Galahad ? " " Ye, forsothe," sayd 
5 he ; and so he kneled doune and asked hym his blessynge, 
and after toke of his helme and kyssed hym. And there 
was grete joye bitwene them, for there is no tonge can 
telle the joye that they made eyther of other, and many a 
frendely word spoken bitwene, as kynde wold, the whiche 

10 is no nede here to be reherced. And there everyche told 
other of theire adventures and merveils that were befallen 
to them in many journeyes sythe that they departed from 
the courte. Anone, as Galahad sawe the gentilwoman 
dede in the bed, he knewe her wel ynough, and told grete 

15 worship of her, that she was the best mayde lyvyng, and 
hit was grete pyte of her dethe. But whanne Launcelot 
herd how the merveylous swerd was goten, and who made 
hit, and alle the merveyls reherced afore, thenne he prayd 
Galahad his sone that he wold shewe hym the suerd, and 

20 so he dyd. And anone he kyssed the pomel and the 
hyltes and the scaubard. " Truly," sayd Launcelot, 
" never erst knewe I of so hyhe adventures done, and so 
merveyllous and straunge." So dwellid Launcelot and 
Galahad within that shyp half a yere, and served God 

25 dayly and nyghtly with alle their power. And often they 
aryved in yles ferre from folke, where there repayred 
none but wylde beestes. And ther they fond many 
straunge adventures and peryllous, whiche they broughte 
to an ende. But for tho adventures were with wylde 

30 beestes, and not in the quest of the Sancgreal, therfor 
the tale maketh here no mencyon therof, for it wolde be 
to longe to telle of alle tho adventures that befelle them. 



Chap. XIV.] LAUNCELOT ON THE SEA. 147 



Capttulum i\x\\. 

Soo after, on a Mondaye, hit befelle that they aryved 
in the edge of a foreste, to fore a crosse, and thenne sawe 
they a knyghte armed al in whyte, and was rychely 
horsed, and ledde in his ryght hand a whyte hors. And 
soo he cam to the shyp, and salewed the two knyghtes 5 
on the hyghe Lordes behalf, and sayd, "Galahad, syr, ye 
have ben longe ynough with your fader, come oute of the 
ship, and starte upon this hors, and goo where the 
adventures shall lede the in the quest of the Sancgreal." 
Thenne he wente to his fader, and kyst hym swetely, and 10 
sayd, " Fair swete fader, I wote not whan I shal see you 
more, tyl I see the body of Jhesu Cryst." " I praye yow," 
sayd Launcelot, " praye ye to the hyghe Fader that he 
hold me in his servyse." And soo he took his hors ; and 
ther they herd a voyce that sayd, '' Thynke for to doo 15 
wel, for the one shal never see the other before the 
dredeful day of dome." " Now, sone Galahad," said 
Lau^zcelot, " syn we shal departe, and never see other, I 
pray to th^ ^^gh Fader to conserve me and yow bothe." 
"Sire," said Galahad, " noo prayer avaylleth soo moche 20 
as yours." And there with Galahad entryd in to the 
foreste. And the wynde aroos and drofe Launcelot more 
than a moneth thurgh oute the see, where he slepte but 
lytyl, but prayed to God that he myght see some tydynges 
of the Sancgreal. 25 

Soo hit befelle on a nyghte at mydnyghte, he aryved 
afore a castel on the bak syde, whiche was ryche and 
fayre ; and there was a posterne opened toward the see, 
and was open withoute ony kepynge, sauf two lyons kept 
the entre, and the moone shone clere. Anone Sir 30 
Launcelot herd a voyce that sayd, " Launcelot, goo oute 



148 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

of this shyp and entre in to the castel, where thou shalt 
see a grete parte of thy desyre." Thenne he ran to his 
armes and soo armed hym, and soo wente to the gate 
and sawe the lyons. Thenne sette he hand to his suerd, 
5 and drewe hit. Thenne there came a dwerf sodenly, and 
smote hym on the harme^ so sore that the suerd felle 
oute of his hand. Thenne herd he a voyce say, " O man 
of evylle feyth and poure byleve, wherfor trowest thow 
more on thy harneis than in thy maker 1 for he myghte 

10 more avayle the than thyn armour, in whos servyse that 
thou arte sette." Thenne said Launcelot, " Fay u^ Fader 
Jhesu Cryste, I thanke the of thy grete mercy that thou 
reprevest me of my mysdede. Now see I wel that ye 
hold me for youre servaunt." Thenne toke he ageyne 

15 his suerd, and putte it up in his shethe, and made a 
crosse in his forhede, and came to the lyons, and they 
made semblaunt to doo hym harme. Notwithstandynge 
he passed by hem without hurte, and entryd in to the 
castel to the chyef fortresse, and there where "^ they al at 

20 rest. Thenne Launcelot entryd in so armed, for he fond 
noo gate nor dore but it was open. And at the last he 
fond a chamber wherof the dore was shytte, and he sette 
his hand therto to have opened hit, but he myghte not. 

Capttulum i:\\ 

Thenne he enforced hym mykel to undoo the dore. 

25 Thenne he lystned, and herd a voyce whiche sange so 
swetely that it semed none erthely thynge ; and hym 
thoughte the voyce said, " Joye and honour be to the 
Fader of Heven." Thenne Launcelot kneled doun to 
fore the chamber, for wel wyst he that there was the 

30 Sancgreal within that chamber. Thenne sayd he, " Fair 

^ Sic. 2 Read Fayre ? ^ Read were ? 



C H AP. XV.] LA UNCELOT AND THE HOL Y GRAIL. 



149 



swete Fader Jhesu Cryst, yf ever I dyd thyng that pleasyd 
the Lord, for thy pyte ne have me not in despyte for my 
synnes done afore tyme, and that thou shewe me some 
thynge of that I seke." And with that he sawe the 
chamber dore open, and there came oute a grete clerenes, 5 
that the hows was as bryghte as all the torches of the 
world had ben there. So cam he to the chamber dore, 
and wold have entryd. And anone a voyce said to hym, 
" Flee, Launcelot, and entre not, for thou oughtest not to 
doo hit; and yf thou entre thou shalt forthynke hit." 10 
Thenne he withdrewe hym abak ryght hevy. Thenne 
loked he up in the myddes of the chamber, and sawe a 
table of sylver, and the holy vessel coverd with reed 
samyte, and many angels aboute hit, wherof one helde a 
candel of waxe brennyng, and the other held a crosse 15 
and the ornementys of an aulter. And bifore the holy 
vessel he sawe a good man clothed as a preest, and it 
semed that he was at the sacrynge of the masse. And it 
semed to Launcelot that above the preestes handes were 
thre men, wherof the two putte the yongest by lykenes 20 
bitwene the preestes handes, and soo he lyfte hit up 
ryght hyhe, and it semed to shewe so to the peple. And 
thenne Launcelot merveyled not a lytyl, for hym thou^/^t 
the preest was so gretely charged of the fygure, that hym 
semed that he shold falle to the erthe. And whan he 25 
sawe none aboute hym that wolde helpe hym, thenne 
came he to the dore a grete paas and sayd, '' Faire Fader 
Jhesu Cryst, ne take hit for no synne though I helpe the 
good man, whiche hath grete nede of help." Ryghte soo 
entryd he in to the chamber, and cam toward the table of 30 
sylver, and whanne he came nyghe he felte a brethe that 
hym thoughte hit was entremedled with fyre, whiche 
smote hym so sore in the vysage that hym thoughte it 
brente his vysage ; and there with he felle to the erthe, 



150 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

and had no power to aryse, as he that was soo araged 
that had loste the power of his body, and his herynge, 
and his seynge. 

Thenne felte he many handes aboute hym, whiche 
5 tooke hym up and bare hym oute of the chamber dore, 
withoute ony amendynge of his swomie, and lefte hym 
there semyng dede to^ al peple. Soo upon the morowe, 
whan it was fayre day, they within were arysen, and 
fonde Launcelot lyenge afore the chamber dore. Alle 

lo they merveylled how that he cam in ; and so they loked 
upon hym, and felte his pouse to wyte whether there were 
ony lyf in hym ; and soo they fond lyf in hym, but he 
myght not stande nor stere no membre that he had ; and 
soo they tooke hym by every parte of the body, and bare 

15 hym in to a chamber, and leyd hym in a ryche bedde 
ferre from alle folke ; and soo he lay four dayes. Thenne 
the one sayd he was on lyve, and the other sayd, '' Nay," 
" In the name of God," sayd an old man, " for I doo yow 
veryly to wete he is not dede, but he is soo fulle of lyf as 

20 the myghtyest of yow alle, and therfor I counceylle yow 
that he be wel kepte tyl God send hym lyf ageyne." 

Capitulum j\>j. 

In suche maner they kepte Launcelot four and twenty 
dayes, and also many nyghtes, that ever he laye stylle as 
a dede man ; and at the xxv daye byfelle hym after myd- 
25 daye tliat he opened his eyen. And whan he sawe folke 
he made grete sorowe, and sayd, " Why have ye awaked 
me ? for I was more at ease than I am now. O Jhesu 
Cryst, who myghte be soo blessid that myght see openly 
thy grete merveyls of secretenes there where no synnar 

^ After to the words, " of tlie chamber dore and lefte hym there 
semynge dede to^'' are repeated. 



Chap. XVI.] LAUNCELOT ACHIEVES THE QUEST. 151 

may be?" "What have ye sene ? " sayd they aboute 
hym. "I have sene," said he, " so grete merveyls that 
no tong may telle, and more than ony herte can thynke, 
and had not my sone ben here afore me I had sene 
moche more." Thenne they told hym how he had layne 5 
there four and twenty dayes and nyghtes. Thenne hym 
thoughte hit was punysshement for the four and twenty 
yeres that he had ben a synner, wherfore our Lord put 
hym in penaunce four and twenty dayes and nyghtes. 
Thenne loked Syr Launcelot afore hym, and sawe the 10 
hayre whiche he had borne nyghe a yere, for that he 
forthoughte hym ry^/zte moche that he had broken his 
promyse unto the heremyte, whiche he had avowed to 
doo. Thenne they asked how hit stood with hym. " For 
sothe," sayd he, "I am hole of body, thanked be our 15 
Lord. Therfore, syrs, for Goddes love telle me where 
that I am." Thenne sayd they alle that he was in the 
castel of Carbonek. There with came a gentylwoman, 
and brought hym a sherte of smal lynen clothe, but he 
chaunged not there, but toke the hayre to hym ageyne. 20 
" Sir," sayd they, " the quest of the Sancgreal is encheved 
now ryght in yow, that never shalle ye see of the Sanc- 
greal nomore than ye have sene." " Now I thanke God," 
said Launcelot, '* of his grete mercy, of that I have sene, 
for it suff3^seth me ; for, as I suppose, no man in this 25 
world hath lyved better than I have done to enchere^ that 
I have done." And ther with he took the hayre and 
clothed hym in hit, and above that he put a lynen sherte, 
and after a robe of scarlet fresshe and newe. And 
whanne he was soo arayed they merveylled alle, for they 30 
knewe hym that he was Launcelot, the good knyghte. 
And thenne they sayd alle, " O my lord Sir Launcelot, be 
that ye?" And he sayd, " Truly I am he." Thenne 

^ Read encheve. 



152 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

came word to kyng Pelles, that the knyght that had layne 
soo longe dede was Sir Laiincelot. Thenne was the 
kynge ryght glad, and wente to see hym. And whanne 
Launcelot sawe hym come, he dressid hym ageynste hym, 
5 and there made the kyng grete joye of hym, and there 
the kynge told hym tydynges, that his fayre doughter was 
dede. Thenne Launcelot was ryght hevy of hit, and 
sayd, " Syre, me forthynketh of the dethe of your 
doughter, for she was a ful fayre lady, fresshe and yonge, 

10 and wel I wote she here the best knyghte that is now on 
erthe or that ever was sith God was borne." So the 
kynge held hym there four dayes, and on the morowe he 
took his leve at kynge Pelles, and at al the felauship, and 
thanked them of the grete labour, Ryghte soo as they 

15 sat at her dyner in the chyef sale, thenne was so befalle 
that the Sancgreal had fulfylled the tables with al maner 
of metes that ony herte myghte thynke. Soo as they 
sate, they sawe alle the dores and the wyndowes of the 
place were shitte withoute mannys hand ; wherof they 

20 were al abasshed, and none wyste what to doo. 

And thenne it happed sodenly a knyghte cam to the 
chyefe dore, and knocked, and cryed, " Undo the dore," 
but they wold not. And ever he cryed, " Undoo ! " but 
they wold not. And atte laste it noyed hem soo moche 

25 that the kynge hym self arose and came to a wyndowe 
there where the knyght called. Thenne he said, " Syr 
knyght, ye shall not entre at this tyme, whyle the Sanc- 
greal is here, and therfor goo in to another. For certes 
ye be none of the kny^/ztes of the quest, but one of them 

30 whiche hath served the fende, and hast lefte the servyse 
of oure Lord"; and he was passynge wrothe at the 
kynges wordes. " Sir knyght," sayd the kynge, " syn ye 
wold so fayn entre, saye me of what couwtrey ye be." 
" Sir," sayd he, " 1 am of the realme of Logrys, and my 



Chap. XVII.] THE TOMB OF BAGDEMAGUS. 153 

name is Ector de Marys, and broder unto my lord Sir 
Lau^zcelot." " In the name of God," sayd the kynge, 
" me forthynketh of that I have sayd, for youre broder is 
here within." And whan Ector de Marys understood 
that his broder was there, for he was the man in the 5 
world that he moost dredde and loved, and thenne he 
sayd, " A, God now doubleth my sorowe and shame : ful 
truly sayd the good man of the hylle unto Gawayne and 
to me of oure dremes." Thenne wente he oute of the 
courte as fast as his hors myghte, and soo thurgh oute lo 
the castel. 

Capttulum vo\\. 

Thenne kynge Pelles came to Sire Launcelot, and told 
hym tydynges of his broder, wherof he was sory that he 
wyste not what to doo. Soo Sir Launcelot departed, and 
toke his armes, and sayd he wold goo see the realme of 15 
Logrys, — " whiche I have not sene in twelve moneth." 
And there with commaunded the kynge to God, and soo 
rode thurgh many realmes. And at the last he came to a 
whyte abbay; and there they made hym that nyghte 
grete chere. And on the morne he aroos and herd 20 
masse, and afore an aulter he fond a ryche tombe whiche 
was newely made. And thenne he took hede, and sawe 
the sydes wryten with gold, whiche sayd : " Here lyeth 
kynge Bagdemagus of Gore, whiche kynge Arthurs nevew 
slewe," and named hym Syr Gawayn. Thenne was not 25 
he a lytel sory, for Launcelot loved hym moche more 
than ony other, and had it ben ony other than Gawayn, 
he shold not have escared^ from dethe to lyf ; and sayd 
to hym self, " A, Lord God, this is a grete hurte unto 
kynge Arthurs courte, the losse of suche a man." And 30 
thenne he departed, and came to the abbay where Gata-^' 

^ Read escaped. '^ Sic. 



154 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

had dyd the adventure of the tombes, and wanne the 
whyte sheld with the reed crosse, and there had he grete 
chere alle that nyghte. And on the morne he torned 
unto Camelot, where he fonde kynge Arthur and the 
5 queue. But many of the knyghtes of the Round Table 
were slayne and destroyed, more than half. And soo 
thre were come home, Ector, Gawayne, and Lyonel, and 
many other that neden not to be reherced, and alle the 
courte was passyng gladde of Syr Launcelot. And the 

10 kynge asked hym many tydynges of his sone Galahad, 
and ther Launcelot told the kynge of his adventures that 
had befallen hym syn he departed ; and also he told hym 
of the adventures of Galahad, Percyvale, and Bors, 
whiche that he knewe by the letter of the dede damoysel, 

15 and as Galahad had told hym. "Now, God wold," sayd 
the kynge, " that they were all thre here." " That shalle 
never be," said Launcelot, "for two of hem shalle ye 
never see, but one of hem shalle come ageyne." 
Now leve we this story and speke of Galahad. 

Capltulum i*viij. 

20 Now saith the story, Galahad rode many journeyes 
invayne, and at the last he cam to the abbay where kyng 
Mordrayns was. And whan he herd that, he thou^>^te 
he wold abyde to see hym. And upon the morne, whanne 
he had herd masse, Galahad came unto kyng Mordrayns. 

25 And anon the kynge sawe hym, the whiche had leyne 
blynd of long tyme. And thenne he dressid hym ageynst 
hym, and said, " Galahad, the servaunt of Jhesu Cryste, 
whos comynge I have abydcn so longe, now enbrace me, 
and lete me reste on thy brest, so that I may reste 

30 bitwene thyn armes, for thow arte a clene vyrgyn above 
all knyghtes, as the floure of the lyly, in whome vyrgynyte 



Chap. XVIII.] GALAHAD BURIES MOKDRAYNS. 155 

is sygnefyed, and thou arte the rose, the whiche is the 
floure of al good vertu, and in coloure of fyre. For the 
fyre of the Holy Ghoost is take so in the, that my flesshe, 
which was al dede of oldenes, is become yonge ageyne." 
Thenne Galahad herd his wordes, thenne he enbraced 5 
hym and alle his body. Thenne sayd he, '' Faire Lord 
Jhesu Cryst, now 1 have my wil, now I requyre the in 
'this poynt that 1 am in, thow come and vysyte me." And 
anone oure Lord herd his prayer : there with the soule 
departed from the body. And thenne Galahad putte 10 
hym in the erthe as a kynge oughte to be ; and soo 
departede, and soo came in to a perillous foreste, where 
he fond the welle, the whiche boylled with grete wawes, 
as the tale telleth to fore. And as soone as Galahad 
sette his hand therto it seaced, so that it brente no more, 15 
and the hete departed ; for that it brente hit was a sygne 
of lechery, the whiche was that tyme moche used, but 
that hete myght not abyde his pure vyrgyntye ; and this 
was taken in the countrey for a myrakle. And soo ever 
after was it called Callahadys welle. 20 

Thenne by adventure he cam in to the countrey of 
Gore, and in to the abbay where Launcelot had ben to 
fore hand, and fonde the tombe of kynge Bagdemagus 
(but he was founder therof, Joseph of Armathyes sone) 
and the tombe of Symyan where Launcelot had fayled. 25 
Thenne he loked in to a crofte under the mynster, and 
there he sawe a tombe whiche brent ful merveyllously. 
Thenne asked he the bretheren what it was. " Sir," said 
they, '' a merveyllous adventur that may not be broughte 
unto none ende but by hym that passetli of bounte and 30 
of knyghthode al them of the Round Table." " I wold," 
sayd Galahad, " that ye wold lede me ther to." " Gladly," 
sayd they ; and soo ledde hym tyl a cave ; and he went 
doune upon gresys, and cam nyghe the tombe, and thenne 



156 LE MORTE DAKTHUR. [Book XVII. 

the flammynge fayled and the tyre staunched, the whiche 
many a day had ben grete. Thenne came there a voyce 
that sayd, " Moche are ye beholde to thanke oure Lord, 
the whiche hath gyven yow a good houre, that ye may 

5 drawe oute the sowles of erthely payne and to putte them 
in to the joyes of Paradys. I am of your kynred, the 
whiche have dwelled in this hete thys thre honderd 
wynter and four and fyfty, to be purged of the synne 
that I dyd ageynst Joseph of Armathye." Thenne Gala- 

lo had toke the body in his amies, and bare it in to the 
mynster. And that nyghte lay Galahad in the abbay; 
and on the morne he gaf hym servyse, and putte hym in 
the erthe afore the hyghe aulter. 

Capitulum jtj. 

Soo departed he from thens, and commaunded the 

15 bretheren to God, and soo he rode fyve dayes tyl that he 
came to the maymed kynge, and ever folowed Percyval 
the fyve dayes, askynge where he had ben, and soo one 
told hym how the adventures of Logrys were encheved. 
So on a daye it befelle that they cam oute of a grete 

20 foreste, and there they mette at travers with Sir Bors, the 
whiche rode alone. Hit is none nede to telle yf they 
were glad, and hem he salewed, and they yelded hym 
honour and good adventure ; and everyche told other. 
Thenne said Bors, " Hit is more than a yere and an 

25 half that I ne lay ten tymes where men dwelled, but in 
wylde forestes and in montayns, but God was ever my 
comforte." 

Thenne rode they a grete whyle tyl that they came to 
the castel of Carbonek. And whan they were entryd 

30 within the castel kynge Pelles knewe hem. Thenne there 
was grete joye, for they wyst wel by theire comynge that 



Chap. XIX.] THE BROKEN SWORD. 157 

they had fulfylled the quest of the Sancgreal. Thenne 
Elyazar, kynge Pelles sone, broughte to fore hem the 
broken suerd where with Joseph was stryken thurgh the 
thygh. Thenne Bors sette his hand therto, yf that he 
myght have souded hit ageyne, but it wold not be. 5 
Thenne he took it to Percyval, but he had no more power 
therto than he. " Now have ye hit ageyne," sayd Percy- 
vall to Galahad, " for and it be ever encheved by ony 
bodely man, ye must doo hit." And thenne he took the 
pyeces and sette hem to gyders, and they semed that they 10 
had never ben broken, and as well as hit had ben fyrst 
forged. And whanne they within aspyed that the adven- 
ture of the suerd was encheved, thenne they gaf the suerd 
to Bors, for hit myght not be better set, for he was a 
good knyghte and a worthy man. And a lytel afore even 15 
the suerd arose grete and merveyllous, and was ful of 
grete hete, that many men felle for drede. And anone 
alyght a voys amonge them, and sayd, " They that ought 
not to sytte at the table of Jhesu Cryst aryse, for now 
shalle veray knyghtes ben fedde." Soo they wente thens, 20 
all sauf kynge Pelles and Elyazar his sone, the whiche 
were holy men. and a mayde which was his nece. And 
soo these thre felawes and they thre were there, no mo. 
Anone they sawe knyghtes al armed came in at the halle 
dore, and dyd of their helmes and their armes, and sayd 25 
unto Galahad, " Sire, we have hyed ryght moche for to 
be with vow at this table where the holy mete shalle be 
departed." Thenne sayd he, ''Ye be welcome, but of 
whens be ye ? " So thre of them sayd they were of 
Gaule, and other thre sayd they were of Irland, and the 30 
other thre sayd they were of Denmarke. So as they satte 
thus, there came oute a bed of tree of a chamber, the 
whiche four gentylwymmen broughte, and in the bed lay 
a good man seke, and a crowne of gold upon his hede. 



158 LE MORTE DARTHUK. [Book XVII. 

and there in the myddes of the place they sette hym 
doune, and wente ageyne their waye. Thenne he lyfte 
up his hede and sayd, " Galahad, knyght, ye be welcome, 
for moche have I desyred your comynge, for in suche 

5 payne and in suche anguysshe I have ben longe. But 
now I truste to God the terme is come that my payn shall 
be alayed, that I shall passe oute of this world so as it 
was promysed me longe ago." There with a voyce sayd, 
" Ther be two amonge you that be not in the quest of the 

10 Sancgreal, and therfor departe ye." 

Capitulum jj. 

Thenne kynge Pelles and his sone departed ; and 
there with alle besemed that there cam a man and four 
angels from heven clothed in lykenes of a bisshop, and 
had a crosse in his hand, and these foure angels bare 

15 hym up in a chayer, and sette hym doune before the table 
of sylver where upon the Sancgreal was, and it semed 
that he had in myddes of his forhede letters, the whiche 
sayd, " See ye here Joseph, the fyrst bisshop of Crysten- 
dome, the same whiche our Lord socoured in the cyte of 

20 Sarras, in the spyrytuel place." Thenne the knyghtes 
merveylled, for that bisshop was dede more than thre 
honderd yere to fore. " O knyghtes," sayde he, "merveyle 
not, for I was somtyme an erthely man." With that they 
herde the chamber dore open, and there they sawe 

25 angels, and two bare candels of waxe, and the thyrd a 
towel, and the fourthe a spere, whiche bled merveillously, 
that thre droppes felle within a boxe whiche he helde 
with [his] other hand. And they sette the candels upon 
the table, and the thyrd the towel upon the vessel, and 

30 the fourth the holy spere even up ryghte upon the vessel. 
And thenne the bisshop made semblaunt as thou^/^ he 



Chap. XX.J THE HOLY VESSEL. 159 

wold have gone to the sacrynge of the masse. And 
thenne he tooke an ubblye, whiche was made in lykenes 
of breed. And at the lyftynge up there came a fygur in 
lykenes of a chyld, and the vysage was as reed and as 
bryghte as ony fyre, and smote hym self in to the breed, 5 
so that they all sawe hit that the breed was formed of a 
flesshely man, and thenne he putte hit in to the holy 
vessel ageyne, and thenne he dyd that longed to a preest 
to doo to a masse. And thenne he wente to Galahad 
and kyssed hym, and badde hym goo and kysse his lo 
felawes, and soo he dyd anone. " Now," sayd he, 
" servauntes of Jhesu Cryste, ye shall be fedde afore this 
table with swete metes that never knyghtes tasted." And 
whanne he had sayd, he vanysshed awey. 

And they sette hem at the table in grete drede, and 15 
made their prayers. Thenne loked they and sawe a man 
come oute of the holy vessel, that had alle the sygnes of 
the passion of Jhesu Cryste, bledynge alle openly, and 
sayd, " My knyghtes and my servauntes and my true 
children, whiche ben come oute of dedely lyf in to 20 
spyrytual lyf, I wyl now no lenger hyde me from yow, 
but ye shal see now a parte of my secretes and of my 
hydde thynges : now holdeth and receyveth the hyghe 
mete whiche ye have soo moche desyred." Thenne took 
he hym self the holy vessel and came to Galahad, and 25 
he kneled doune, and there he receyved his Saveour ; and 
after hym soo receyved alle his felawes, and they thoughte 
it soo swete that hit was merveillous to telle. Thenne 
sayd he to Galahad, " Sone, wotest thow what I hold 
betwixe my handes ? " " Nay," sayd he, " but yf ye will 30 
telle me." "This is," sayd he, "the holy dysshe wherin 
I ete the lambe on Sherthursdaye. And now hast thou 
sene that thou most desyred to see, but yet haste thou 
not sene hit soo openly as thow shalt see it in the cyte of 



160 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

Sarras, in the spyrituel place. Therfore thow must go 
hens and bere with the this holy vessel, for this nyght it 
shalle departe from the reahiie of Logrys, that it shalle 
never be sene more here. And wotest thou wherfor } for 
5 he is not served nor worshypped to his ryghte by them of 
this land, for they be torned to evylle lyvynge ; therfor I 
shall disheryte them of the honour whiche I have done 
hem. And therfore goo ye thre to morowe unto the see, 
where ye shal fynde your shyp redy, and with you take 

lo the suerd with the straunge gyrdels, and no mo with yow 
but Sire Percyval and Syre Bors. Also I will that ye 
take with you of the blood of this spere, for to enoynte 
the maymed kynge, bothe his legges and alle his body, 
and he shalle have his hele." '' Sire," sayd Galahad, 

15 " why shalle not these other felawes goo with us ? " " For 
this cause ; for ryght as I departed my postels, one here 
and another there, soo I wille that ye departe. And two 
of yow shalle dye in my servyse, but one of yow shal 
come ageyne, and telle tydynges." Thenne gaf he hem 

20 his blessynge and vanysshed awaye. 

Capitulum xiS* 

And Galahad wente anone to the spere whiche lay 
upon the table, and touched the blood with his fyngers, 
and came after to the maymed kynge, and anoynted his 
legges. And there with he clothed hym anone, and starte 

25 upon his feet oute of his bedde as an hole man, and 
thanked oure Lorde that he had helyd hym. And that 
was not to the world ward ; for anone he yelded hym to 
a place of relygyon of whyte monkes, and was a ful holy 
man. That same nyghte aboute mydnyght came a voyce 

30 amonge hem whiche sayde, " My sones and not my chyef 
sones, my frendes and not m}'^ werryours, goo ye hens 



Chap. XXL] THE MAIMED KING HEALED. 161 

where ye hope best to doo and as I bad yow." " A, 
thanked be thou, Lord, that thou wilt vouchesaufe to 
calle us thy synners. Now maye we wel preve that we 
have not lost our paynes." 

And anone in alle haste they took their harneis and 5 
departed. But the thre knyghtes of Gaule, one of them 
hyghte Claudyne, kynge Claudas sone, and the other two 
were grete gentylmen. Thenne praid Galahad to everyche 
of them, that yf they come to kynge Arthurs court, that 
they sholde salewe " my lorde Sir Launcelot my fader," 10 
and of hem of the Round Table, and prayed hem yf that 
they cam on that party that they shold not forgete it. 
Ryght soo departed Galahad, Percyval, and Bors with 
hym, and soo they rode thre dayes, and thenne they came 
to a ryvage and fonde the shyp wherof the tale speketh 15 
of to fore. And whanne they cam to the borde, they 
fonde in the myddes the table of sylver whiche they had 
lefte with the maymed kynge, and the Sancgreal whiche 
was coverd with rede samyte. Thenne were they gladde 
to have suche thynges in theyr felaushyp, and soo they 20 
entryd, and maade grete reverence ther to, and Galahad 
felle in his prayer longe tyme to oure Lord, that at what 
tyme he asked that he shold passe out of this world. Soo 
moche he prayd, tyl a voyce sayd to hym, " Galahad, thou 
shalt have thy request, and whan thow askest the dethe 25 
of thy body thou shalt have it, and thenne shalt thow 
fynde the lyf of the soule." Percyval herd this, and 
prayd hym of felauship that was bitwene them, to telle 
hym wherfor he asked suche thynges. " That shalle I 
telle yow," said Galahad : " thother day whanne we sawe 30 
a parte of the adventures of the Sancgreal, I was in suche 
a joye of herte that I trowe never man was that was 
erthely, and therfore I wote wel whan my body is dede 
my sowle shalle be in grete joye to see the blessid 



162 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

Trynyte every day, and the mageste of oure Lord Jhesu 
Cryst." Soo longe were they in the shyp that they sayd 
to Galahad, " Syr, in this bedde ought ye to lye, for soo 
saith the scrypture"; and soo he leyd hym doune and 

5 slepte a grete whyle. And whan he awaked he loked 
afore hym, and sawe the cyte of Sarras. And as they 
wold have landed, they sawe the shyp wherein Percyval 
had putte his syster in. " Truly," sayd Percyval, '' in the 
name of God, wel hath my syster holden us covenaunt." 

10 Thenne toke they out of the ship the table of sylver, 
and he tooke it to Percyval and to Bors to goo to fore, 
and Galahad came behynde, and ryght soo they went to 
the cyte, and at the gate of the cyte they sawe an old 
man croked. Thenne Galahad called hym and bad hym, 

15 ''Helpe to bere this hevy thynge." " Truly," said the old 
man, '' it is ten yere ago that I my^/^t not goo but with 
crouchys." " Care thou not," sayd Galahad, '' and aryse 
up and shewe thy good wille." And soo he assayed, and 
fonde hym self as hole as ever he was. Thenne ranne 

20 he to the table, and took one parte ageynst Galahad. 
And anone arose there grete noyse in the cyte, that a 
cryppyl was maade hole by knyghtes merveyls that entryd 
in to the cyte. Thenne anon after, the thre knyghtes 
wente to the water, and broughte up in to the paleys 

25 Percyvals syster, and buryed her as rychely as a kynges 
doughter oughte to be. And whan the kynge of the 
cyte, whiche was cleped Estorause, sawe the felaushyp, 
he asked hem of whens they were, and what thyng it was 
that they had broughte upon the table of sylver. And 

30 they told hym the trouthe of the Sancgreal, and the 
power whiche that God had sette there. Thenne the 
kynge was a tyraunt, and was come of the lyne of 
paynyms, and toke hem, and putte hem in pryson in a 
depe hole. 



Chap. XXll.J GALAHAD MADE KING. J 63 



Capitulum jjtj. 

But as soone as they were there, oure Lord sente hem 
the Sancgreal, thorow whoos grace they were al waye 
fulfylled whyle that they were in pryson. Soo at the 
yeres ende hit befelle that this kynge Estourause lay 
seke, and felte that he shold dye. Thenne he sente for 5 
the thre knyghtes, and they came afore hym, and he 
cryed hem mercy of that he had done to them, and they 
forgaf hit hym goodely, and he dyed anone. Whanne 
the kynge was dede, alle the cyte was desmayed, and 
wyst not who myghte be her kynge. Ryght soo as they 10 
were in counceille, there came a voyce amonge them, and 
badde hem chese the yongest knyght of them thre to be 
her kynge, ''for he shalle wel mayntene yow and all 
yours." Soo they made Galahad kynge by alle the 
assente of the hole cyte, and els they wold have slayne 15 
hym. And whanne he was come to beholde the land, he 
lete make above the table of sylver a cheste of gold and 
of prec3^ous stones that hylled the holy vessel. And 
every day erly the thre felawes wold come afore hit and 
make their prayers. 20 

Now at the yeres ende, and the self daye after Galahad 
had borne the croune of gold, he arose up erly, and his 
felawes, and came to the palais, and sawe to fore hem 
the holy vessel,' and a man knelynge on his knees in 
lykenes of a bisshop, that had aboute hym a grete felau- 25 
shyp of angels as it had ben Jhesu Cryst hym self. And 
thenne he arose and beganne a masse of Oure Lady. 
And whan he cam to the sacrament of the masse, and 
had done, anone he called Galahad, and sayd to hym, 
" Come forthe, the servaunt of Jhesu Cryst, and thou 30 
shalt see that thou hnst moche desyred to see." And 



164 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVII. 

thenne he beganne to tremble ryght hard, whan the 
dedely flesshe beganne to beholde the spyrytuel thynges. 
Thenne he helde up his handes toward heven and sayd, 
" Lord, I thanke the, for now 1 see that that hath ben my 
5 desyre many a daye. Now, blessyd Lord, wold I not 
lenger lyve, yf it myghte please the Lord.'" And there 
with the good man tooke oure Lordes body betwixe hys 
handes, and proferd it to Galahad, and he receyved hit 
ryghte gladly and mekely. " Now, wotest thow what I 

10 am ? " sayd the good man. " Nay," said Galahad. '' I 
am Joseph of Armathye, the whiche oure Lord hath sente 
here to the to here the felaushyp. And wotest thou 
wherfor that he hath sente me more than ony other ? 
For thou hast resemblyd [me ?] in to thynges, in that 

15 thou hast sene the merveyles of the Sancgreal, in that 
thou hast ben a clene mayden, as I have ben and am." 
And whanne he had said these wordes, Galahad went to 
Percyval and kyssed hym, and commaunded hym to God. 
And soo he wente to Sire Bors and kyssed hym, and 

20 commaunded hym to God, and sayd, " Fayre lord, salewe 
me to my lord Syr Launcelot, my fader, and as soone as 
ye see hym byd hym remembre of this unstable world." 
And there with he kneled doune tofore the table and 
made his prayers, and thenne sodenly his soule departed 

25 to Jhesu Crist, and a grete multitude of angels bare his 
soule up to heven, that the two felawes myghte wel 
behold hit. Also the two felawes sawe come from heven 
an hand, but they sawe not the body. And thenne hit 
cam ryght to the vessel, and took it and the spere, and 

30 soo bare hit up to heven. Sythen was there never man 
soo hardy to saye that he had sene the Sancgreal. 



Chap. XXIII.] GALAHAD'S DEATH. 165 



Capitulum xx\\\. 

Whanne Percyval and Bors sawe Galahad dede, they 
made as moche sorowe as ever dyd two men : and yf they 
had not ben good men, they myght lyghtly have fallen in 
despair. And the peple of the countrey and of the cyte 
were ryghl hevy. And thenne he was buryed. And as 5 
soone as he was buryed, Sire Percyval yelded hym to an 
hermytage oute of the cyte, and took a relygyous 
clothynge ; and Bors was alwaye with hym, but never 
chaunged he his seculer clothyng, for that he purposed 
hym to goo ageyne in to the realme of Logrys. Thus a 10 
yere and two monethes lyved Sir Percyval in the hermy- 
tage a ful holy lyf, and thenne passed oute of this world. 
And Bors lete bery hym by his syster and by Galahad in 
the spyrytueltees. 

Whanne Bors sawe that he was in so fer countreyes as 15 
in the partyes of Babyloyne, he departed from Sarras, 
and armed hym, and cam to the see, and entryd in to a 
shyp. And soo it befelle hym in good adventure he cam 
in to the realme of Logrys, and he rode so fast tyl he 
came to Camelot where the kynge was, and thenne was 20 
there grete joye made of hym in the courte ; for they 
wend alle he had ben dede, for as moche as he had ben 
soo longe oute of the countrey. And whan they had 
eten, the kynge made grete clerkes to come afore hym, 
that they shold cronycle of the hyghe adventures of the 25 
good knyghtes. Whanne Bors had told hym of the 
adventures of the Sancgreal, suche as had befalle hym, 
and his thre felawes, that was Launcelot, Percyval, Gala- 
had, and hym self, there Launcelot told the adventures 
of the Sancgreal that he had sene. Alle this was made 30 
in grete bookes, and put up in almeryes at Salysbury. 



166 LE MORTE DARTHUR. 

And anone Sir Bors sayd to Syre Launcelot, '' Galahad 
your owne sone salewed yow by me, and after yow kynge 
Arthur, and alle the courte, and soo dyd Sir Percyval, for 
I buryed hem with myn owne handes in the cyte of 
5 Sarras. Also, Sire Launcelot, Galahad prayed yow to 
remembre of this unsyker world, as ye behyght hym whan 
ye were to gyders more than half a yere." " This is 
true," sayd Launcelot ; " now I truste to God his prayer 
shalle avayle me." Thenne Launcelot took Syr Bors in 

10 his armes, and sayd, "Gentyl cosyn, ye are ryght welcome 
to me, and alle that ever I maye doo for yow and for 
yours, ye shalle fynde my poure body redy atte all tymes 
whyles the spyryte is in hit, and that I promyse yow 
feythfuUy, and never to fayle. And wete ye wel, gentyl 

15 cosyn Syre Bors, that ye and I wylle never departe in 
sonder whylest oure lyves may laste." *' Sir," sayd he, 
" I wylle as ye wylle." 

IE;bus en^etb tbistor^ of tbe Sancgreal tbat 
was brevel^ brawen oute oX ffrenssbe in to 
lEnglyssbe/tbe wbicbe is a stor^ cron^clet) 
tor owt oX tbe truest an^ tbe boldest tbat is 
in tb^s worl^/tbe wbicbe is tbe jv>ij \iQ)0\^l 



Hn^ bete tolowetb tbe e^obtentb boo??» 
Capitulum ®cta\nim. 

Thus it passed on tyl Oure Lady Daye, Assu;?/pcyon. 
Within a xv dayes of that feest the kynge lete crye a 
grete justes and a turnement that shold be at that daye 
att Camelot, that is, Wynchester. And the kynge lete 
crye that he and the kynge of Scottes wold juste ageynst 5 
alle that wold come ageynst hem. And whan this crye 
was made, thydder cam many knyghtes. Soo there came 
thyder the kyng of Northgalys, and kyng Anguysshe of 
Irland, and the kyng with the honderd knyghtes, and 
Galahaut the haute prynce, and the kynge of Northum- lo 
berland, and many other noble dukes and erles of 
dyverse countreyes. Soo kynge Arthur made hym redy 
to departe to thise justys and wold have had the quene 
with hym ; but at that tyme she wold not, she said, for 
she was seke and myghte not ryde at that tyme. "That 15 
me repenteth," sayd the kynge, "for this seven yere ye 
sawe not suche a noble felaushyp to gyders, excepte at 
Wytsontyde whan Galahad departed from the courte." 
" Truly," sayd the quene to the kynge, " ye muste holde 
me excused. I maye not be there, and that me repenteth." 20 
And many demed the quene wold not be there by cause 
of Sir Launcelot du Lake, for Sire Launcelot wold not 
ryde with the kynge ; for he said that he was not hole of 
the wound the whiche Sire Mador had gyven hym. 
Wherfor the kynge was hevy and passynge wrothe, and 25 
soo he departed toward Wynchestre with his felaushyp. 
And soo by the way the kynge lodged in a towne called 



168 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

Astolot, that is now in Englyssh called Gylford, and there 
the kynge lay in the castel. Soo whan the kynge was 
departed, the quene called Sir Launcelot to her, and said 
thus, *' Sire Launcelot, ye are gretely to blame thus to 
5 holde yow behynde my lord. What trowe ye, what will 
youre enemyes and myne saye and deme ? noughte els 
but, ' See how Sire Launcolot^ holdeth hym ever beh3^nde 
the kyng, and soo doth the quene, for that they wold 
have their pleasyr to gyders '; and thus wylle they saye," 
lo sayd the quene to Syr Launcelot, " have ye noo doubte 
therof." 

Capttulum \i. 

" Madame," said Syr Launcelot, " I allowe your wytte, 
it is of late come syn ye were wyse, and therfor, madame, 
at this tyme I wille be rulyd by your counceylle, and thys 

15 nyghte I wylle take my rest, and to morowe by tyme I 
wyll take my waye toward Wynchestre. But wete yow 
wel," sayd Sir Launcelot to the quene, " that at that 
justes I wille be ageynst the kynge and ageynste al his 
felaushyp." " Ye maye there doo as ye lyst," sayd the 

20 quene, " but by my counceylle ye shalle not be ageynst 
youre kyng and youre felaushyp, for therin ben ful many 
hard knyghtes of youre blood, as ye wote wel ynough, hit 
nedeth not to reherce them." " Madame," said Syre 
Launcelot, " I praye yow that ye be not displeasyd with 

25 me, for T wille take the adventure that God wylle sende 
me." 

And soo upon the morne erly Syre Launcelot herd 
masse, and brake his fast, and soo toke his leve of the 
quene, and departed. And thenne he rode soo moche 

30 untyl he came to Astolat, that is, Gylford, and there hit 

1 Sic. 



Chap. IX.] LAUNCELOT AT ASTOLAT. 169 

happed hym in the eventyde he cam to an old barons 
place, that hyght Sir Bernard of Astolat. And as Syre 
Launcelot entryd in to his lodgynge, kynge Arthur aspyed 
hym as he dyd walke in a gardyn besyde the castel, how 
he took his lodgynge, and knewe hym ful wel. " It is 5 
wel," sayd kynge Arthur unto the knyghtes that were 
with hym in that gardyn besyde the castel, " I have now 
aspyed one knyghte that wylle playe his playe at the 
justes to the whiche we be gone toward; I undertake he 
wil do merveils." ''Who is that? we pray you telle us," 10 
sayd many knyghtes that were there at that tyme. '' Ye 
shal not wete for me,"' said the kynge, " as at this tyme." 
And soo the kyng smyled, and wente to his lodgynge. 
Soo whan Sire Launcelot was in his lodgynge, and 
unarmed hym in his chamber, the olde baron and 15 
heremyte came to hym makynge his reverence, and 
welcomed hym in the best maner, but the old knyght 
knewe not Sire Launcelot. " Fair sir," said Sir Launcelot 
to his hooste, " I wold praye yow to lene me a shelde 
that were not openly knowen, for myn is wel knowen." 20 
" Sir," said his hoost, " ye shalle have your desyre, for 
me semeth ye be one of the, lykelyest knyghtes of the 
world, and therfor I shall shewe you frendship. Sire, 
wete yow wel I have two sones that were but late made 
knyghtes, and the eldest hyghte Sir Tirre, and he was 25 
hurt that same day he was made knyghte that he may 
not ryde, and his sheld ye shalle have; for that is not 
knowen, I dare saye, but here and in no place els. And 
my yongest sone hyght Lavayne, and yf hit please yow 
he shalle ryde with yow unto that justes, and he is of his 30 
age X, stronge and wyght ; for moche my herte gyveth 
unto yow that ye shold be a noble kny^//te, therfor I 
praye yow telle me your name," said Sir Bernard. " As 
for that," sayd Sire Launcelot, '' ye must holde me 



170 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

excused as at this tyme, and yf God gyve me grace to 
spede wel att the justes, I shall come ageyne and telle 
yow, but I praye yow," said Sir Launcelot, " in ony wyse 
lete me have youre sone Sire Lavayne with me, and that 

5 I maye have your^ broders shelde." " AUe this shalle 
be done," said Sir Bernard. 

This old baron had a doughter that tyme that was 
called that tyme the faire mayden of Astolat. And ever 
she beheld Sir Launcelot wonderfully. And as the book 

10 sayth, she cast suche a love unto Sir Launcelot that she 
coude never withdrawe her love ; wherfore she dyed, and 
her name was Elayne le Blank. Soo thus as she cam to 
and fro, she was soo bote in her love that she besoughte 
Syr Launcelot to were upon hym at the justes a token of 

15 hers. "Faire damoysel," said Sir Launcelot, "and yf I 
graunte yow that, ye may saye 1 doo more for youre love 
than ever I dyd for lady or damoysel." Thenne he 
remembryd hym that he wold goo to the justes des- 
guysed ; and by cause he had never fore that tyme borne 

20 noo manere of token of noo damoysel, thenne he be- 
thoughte hym that he wold bere one of her that none of 
his blood there by myghte knowe hym. And thenne he 
said, " Faire mayden, I wylle graunte yow to were a token 
of yours upon myn helmet, and therfor what it is shewe 

25 it me." "Sir," she said, "it is a reed sieve of myn, of 
scarlet wel enbroudred with grete perlys"; and soo she 
brought it hym. Soo Syre Launcelot receyved it and 
sayd, " Never dyd I erst soo moche for no damoysel." 
And thenne Sir Launcelot bitoke the fair mayden his 

30 shelde in kepyng, and praid her to kepe that untyl that 
he came ageyne. And soo that nyghte he had mery rest 
and grete chere, for ever the damoysel Elayne was aboute 
Sire Launcelot, alle the whyle she myghte be suffred. 

1 ^ic. 



Chap. X.] LAUNCELOT GOES TO CAME LOT. 171 



Capttulum I. 

Soo upon a daye on the morne, kynge Arthur and al 
his knyghtes departed, for theire kynge had taryed thre 
dayes to abyde his noble knyghtes. And soo whanne 
the kynge was ryden, Sir Launcelot and Sire Lavayne 
made hem redy to ryde, and eyther of hem had whyte 5 
sheldes, and the reed sieve Sir Launcelot lete cary with 
hym. And soo they tooke their leve at Syr Bernard the 
old baron, and att his doughter the faire mayden of 
Astolat. And thenne they rode soo long til that they 
came to Camelot, that tyme called Wynchestre. And lo 
there was grete prees of kynges, dukes, erles, and barons, 
and many noble knyghtes. But there Sir Launcelot was 
lodged pryvely, by the meanes of Sir Lavayne, with a 
ryche burgeis, that no man in that toune was ware what 
they were, and soo they reposed them there til oure Lady 15 
Day, Assumpcyon, as the grete feest sholde be. 

Soo thenne trumpets blewe unto the felde, and kynge 
Arthur was sette on hyghe upon a skafhold to beholde 
who dyd best. But, as the Frensshe book saith, the 
kynge wold not suffer Syre Gawayn to goo from hym, for 20 
never had Sir Gawayn the better and Sire Launcelot were 
in the felde ; and many tymes was Sir Gawayn rebuked 
whan Lau/zcelot cam in to ony justes desguysed. Thenne 
som of the kynges, as kynge Anguysshe of Irland and 
the kynge of Scottes, were that tyme torned upon the 25 
syde of kynge Arthur. And thenne on the other party 
was the kynge of Northgalys, and the kynge with the 
honderd knyghtes, and the kynge of Northumberland, 
and Syre Galahad the haut prynce. But these thre 
kynges and this duke were passyng weyke to holde 3° 
ageynst kynge Arthurs party, for with hym were the 



172 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

noblest knyghtes of the world. Soo thenne they with- 
drewe hem eyther party from other, and every man made 
hym redy in his best maner to doo what he myghte. 
Thenne Syre Launcelot made hym redy, and putte the 
5 reed sieve upon his hede, and fastned it fast ; and soo 
Syre Launcelot and Syre Lavayne departed out of 
Wynchestre pryvely, and rode untyl a lytel levyd wood, 
behynde the party that held ageynst kyng Arthurs party, 
and there they helde them stylle tyl the partyes smote to 

10 gyders. And thenne cam in the kynge of Scottes and 
the kyng of Irland on Arthurs party ; and ageynst them 
came the kynge of Northumberland, and the kynge with 
the honderd knyghtes smote doun the kynge of North- 
umberland ; and the kynge with the honderd knyghtes 

15 smote doune kynge Anguysshe of Irland. Thenne Syre 
Palomydes that was on Arthurs party encountred with 
Syre Galahad, and eyther of hem smote doune other, and 
eyther party halpe their lordes on horsbak ageyne. Soo 
there began a stronge assaile upon bothe partyes. And 

20 thenne came in Syr Brandyles, Syre Sagramor le Desyrus, 
Sire Dodynas le Saveage, Sir Kay le Seneschal, Sir 
Gryfiet le Fyse de Dieu, Sir Mordred, Sir Melyot de 
Logrys, Syr Ozanna le Cure Hardy, Sir Safyr, Sir 
Epynogrys, Syr Galleron of Galway. Alle these xv 

25 knyghtes were knyghtes of the Table Round. Soo these 
with moo other came in to gyders, and bete on bak the 
kynge of Northumberland and the kynge . of Northwalys. 
Whan Sir Launcelot sawe this, as he hoved in a lytil 
leved woode, thenne he sayd unto Syre Lavayn, " See, 

30 yonder is a company of good knyghtes, and they hold 
them to gyders as bores that were chauffed with dogges." 
" That is trouthe," said Syre Lavayne. 



Chap. XI.] LAUNCELOT'S PROWESS. 173 



Capitulum yj,' 

" Now," sayd Syre Launcelot, " and ye wille helpe me 

a lytel, ye shalle see yonder felauship that chaseth now 

these men in oure syde, that they shal go as fast bakward 

as they wente forward." " Sir, spare not," said Sire 

Lavayne, "for I shall doo what I maye." Thenne Sire 5 

Launcelot and Sire Lavayne cam in at the thyckest of 

the prees, and there Syre Launcelot smote doune Syr 

Brandyles, Syre Sagramore, Syre Dodynas, Sir Kay, Syr 

Gryflet, and alle this he dyd with one spere. And Sire 

Lavayne smote doune Sire Lucan the Buttelere, and Sir 10 

Bedevere. And thenne Sire Launcelot gat another spere, 

and there he smote doune Sir Agravayne, Sire Gaherys, 

and Sir Mordred, and Sir Melyot de Logrys. And Sir 

Lavayne smote doune Ozanna le Cure Hardy. And 

thenne Sir Launcelot drewe his suerd, and there he 15 

smote on the ryght hand and on the lyfte hand, and by 

grete force he unhorced Syr Safyr, Sire Epynogrys, and 

Sir Galleron. And thenne the knyghtes of the Table 

Round withdrewe them abak, after they had goten their 

horses as wel as they myghte. " O mercy, Jhesu," said 20 

Sire Gawayne, " what kny^//te is yonder, that doth soo 

merveyllous dedes of armes in that felde ? " "I wote 

not what he is," sayd kynge Arthur, " but as att this tyme 

I wille not name hym." '* Syre," sayd Sire Gawayne, " I 

wold say it were Syr Launcelot by his rydynge and his 25 

buffets that I see hym dele ; but ever me semeth it shold 

not be he, for that he bereth the reed sieve upon his 

hede, for I wyst hym never here token at no justes of 

lady nor gentilwoman." " Lete hym be," said kynge 

Arthur, " he wille be better knowen and do more or ever 30 

he departe." 

1 The heading is repeated. 



174 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

Thenne the party that was ayenst kynge Arthur were 
wel comforted, and thenne they helde hem to gyders that 
before hand were sore rebuked. Thenne Sir Bors, Sir 
Ector de Marys, and Sir Lyonel called unto them the 

5 kny^'^/ztes of their blood, as Sir Blamor de Ganys, Syre 
Bleoberys, Syr Alyduke, Sir Galyhud, Sire Galyhodyn, 
Sir Bellangere le Beuse. Soo these nyne knyghtes of Sir 
Launcelots skynne^ threste in myghtely, for they were al 
noble knyghtes ; and they, of grete hate and despyte that 

10 they had unto hym, thoughte to rebuke that noble knyght 
Sir Launcelot and Sir Lavayne, for they knewe hem not. 
And soo they cam hurlynge to gyders and smote doune 
many knyghtes of Northgalys and of Northumberland. 
And whanne Sire Launcelot sawe them fare soo, he gat 

15 a spere in his hand, and there encountred with hym al 
attones Syr Bors, Sir Ector, and Sire Lyonel, and alle 
they thre smote hym atte ones with their speres. And 
with fors of them self they smote Sir Launcelots hors to 
the erthe, and by mysfortune Sir Bors smote Syre 

20 Launcelot thurgh the shelde in to the syde, and the 
spere brake, and the hede lefte stylle in his syde. Whan 
Sir Lavayne sawe his maister lye on the ground, he ranne 
to the kynge of Scottes and smote hym to the erthe, and 
by grete force he took his hors and brought hym to Syr 

25 Launcelot, and maulgre of them al he made hym to 
mounte upon that hors ; and thenne Launcelot gat a 
spere in his hand, and there he smote Syre Bors hors 
and man to the erthe. In the same wyse he served Syre 
Ector and Syre Lyonel, and Syre Lavayne smote doune 

30 Sir Blamore de Ganys. And thenne Sir Launcelot drewe 
his suerd, for he felte hym self so sore y-hurte that he 
wende there to have had his dethe. And thenne he 
smote Sire Bleoberys suche a buffet on the helmet that 

1 Read ky>uie ? 



Chap. XII.] LAUNCELOT IS WOUNDED. 175 

he felle doune to the erthe in a swoun. And in the same 
wyse he served Sir Alyduk and Sir Galyhud. And Sire 
Lavayne smote doune Syr Bellangere, that was the sone 
of Alysaunder le Orphelyn ; and by this was Sire Bors 
horsed, and thenne he came with Sire Ector and Syr 5 
Lyonel, and alle they thre smote with suerdes upon Syre 
Launcelots helmet. And whan he felte their buffets and 
his wounde, the whiche was soo grevous, than he thought 
to doo what he myght v.^hyle he myght endure. And 
thenne he gaf Syr Bors suche a buffet that he made hym 10 
bowe his heed passynge lowe, and there with al he raced 
of his hehne, and myght have slayne hym, and soo pulled 
hym doune, and in the same wyse he served Syre Ector 
and Sire Lyonel. For, as the book saith, he myghte have 
slayne them, but whan he sawe their vysages his herte 15 
myght not serve hym therto, but lefte hem there. 

And thenne afterward he hurled in to the thyckest 
prees of them alle, and dyd there the merveyloust dedes 
of amies that ever man sawe or herde speke of ; and ever 
Sire Lavayne the good knyghte with hym. And there 20 
Sire Launcelot with his suerd smote doune and pulled 
doune, as the Frensshe book maketh mencyon, moo than 
thyrtty knyghtes, and the moost party were of the Table 
Round. And Sire Lavayne dyd ful wel that day, for he 
smote doune ten knyghtes of the Table Round. 25 

Capttulum jij. 

'' Mercy, Jhesu," said Syr Gawayne to Arthur, '' I 
merveil what knyghte that he is with the reed sieve." 
'' Syr," saide kynge Arthur, " he wille be knowen or he 
departe." And thenne the kynge blewe unto lodgynge, 
and the pryce was gyven by herowdes unto the knyghte 30 
with the whyte shelde, that bare the reed sieve. Thenne 



176 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XV III. 

came the kynge with the honderd kny^/^tes, the kynge of 
Northgalys, and the kynge of Northumberland, and Sir 
Galahaut the haute prynce, and sayd unto Sire Launcelot, 
'' Fayre knyght, God the blesse, for moche have ye done 
5 this day for us, therfor we praye yow that ye wille come 
with us, that ye may receyve the honour and the pryce as 
ye have worshipfuUy deserved it." " My faire lordes," 
saide Syre Launcelot, '' wete yow wel yf I have deserved 
thanke, I have sore bought hit, and that me repenteth, 

lo for I am lyke never to escape with my lyf : therfor, faire 
lordes, I pray yow that ye wille suffer me to departe 
where me lyketh, for I am sore hurte. I take none force 
of none honour, for I had lever to repose me than to be 
lord of alle the world." And there with al he groned 

15 pytously, and rode a grete wallop away ward fro them, 
untyl he came under a woodes syde. And whan he sawe 
that he was from the felde nyghe a myle, that he was 
sure he myghte not be sene, thenne he said with an hy^/^ 
voys, " O gentyl knyght Sir Lavayne, helpe me that this 

20 truncheon were oute of my syde, for it stycketh so sore 
that it nyhe sleeth me." '' O myn owne lord," said Sir 
Lavayne, " I wold fayn do that my^//t please yow, but I 
drede me sore, and I pulle oute the truncheon, that ye 
shalle be in perylle of dethe." " I charge you," said Sir 

25 Launcelot, " as ye love me drawe hit oute." And there 
with alle he descended from his hors and ryght soo dyd 
Sir Lavayn, and forth with al Sir Lavayn drewe the 
truncheon out of his syde ; and [he] gaf a grete shryche 
and a merveillous grysely grone, and the blood braste 

30 oute nyghe a pynt at ones, that at the last he sanke doun 
upon his buttoks, and so swouned pale and dedely. 
" Alias," sayd Sire Lavayne, " what shalle I doo ? " And 
thenne he torned Sir Launcelot in to the wynde, but soo 
he laye there nyghe half an houre as he had ben dede. 



Chap. XT I.] THE HERMIT FN THE WOOD. 177 

And so at the laste Syre Launcelot caste up his eyen, 
and sayd, " O Lavayn, helpe me that I were on my hors, 
for here is fast by within this two myle a gentyl heremyte, 
that somtyme was a fulle noble knyghte and a grete lord 
of possessions. And for grete goodenes he hath taken 5 
hym to wylful poverte and forsaken many landes, and his 
name is Sire Baudewyn of Bretayn, and he is a ful noble 
surgeon and a good leche. Now lete see, helpe me up 
that I were there ; for ever my herte gyveth me that I 
shalle never dye of my cosyn germayns handes." And 10 
thenne with grete payne Sir Lavayne halpe hym upon his 
hors ; and thenne they rode a grete wallop to gyders, and 
ever Syr Launcelot bledde that it ranne doune to the 
erthe. And so by fortune they came to that hermytage, 
the whiche was under a wood, and a grete clyf on the 15 
other syde, and a fayre water rennynge under it. And 
thenne Sire Lavayn bete on the gate with the but of his 
spare, and cryed fast, " Lete in for Jhesus sake." And 
there came a fair chyld to them, and asked hem what 
they wold. '' Faire sone," said Syr Lavayne, "goo and 20 
pray thy lord the heremyte for Goddes sake to lete in 
here a knyghte that is ful sore wounded, and this day 
telle thy lord I sawe hym do more dedes of armes than 
ever I herd say ony man dyd." Soo the chyld wente in 
lyghtely, and thenne he brought the heremyte, the whiche 25 
was a passynge good man. Whan Syr Lavayne sawe 
hym he prayd hym for Goddes sake of socour, " What 
knyght is he," sayd the heremyte, " is he of the hows of 
kyng Arthur or not ? " "I wote not," said Sire Lavayne, 
'' what is he, nor what is his name, but wel I wote I sawe 30 
hym doo merveylously this daye, as of dedes of armes." 
" On whos party was he ? " sayd the heremyte. '' Syre," 
said Syre Lavayne, " he was this daye ageynst kynge 
Arthur, and there he vvanne the pryce of alle the knyghtes 



178 LE MORTE DARTIIUR. [Book XVIII. 

of the Round Table.'' " I have sene the daye," sayd the 
heremyte, " I wold have loved hym the werse by cause 
he was ageynst my lord kynge Arthur, for somtyme I was 
one of the felauship of the Round Table, but I thanke 
5 God now I am otherwyse disposed. But where is he .'' 
lete me see hym." Thenne Sir Lavayne broughte the 
heremyte to hym. 

Capttulum jiij. 

And whan the heremyte beheld hym as he sat lenynge 
upon his sadel bowe, ever bledynge pytously, and ever 

lo the knyghte heremyte thoughte that he shold knowe hym, 
but he coude not brynge hym to knouleche, by cause he 
was soo pale for bledynge, ''What knyghte are ye," sayd 
the heremyte, " and where were ye borne ? " " My fayre 
lord," sayd Syre Launcelot, " I am a straunger and a 

15 knyghte aventurous that laboureth \\-\wxgh oute many 
realmes for to wynne worship." Thenne the heremyte 
advysed hym better, and sawe by a wound on his cheke 
that he was Syr Launcelot. " Alias," sayd the heremyte, 
" myn owne lord, why layne you your name from me ? 

20 For sothe I oughte to knowe yow of ry^//t, for ye are the 
moost noblest knyghte of the world, for wel I knowe yow 
for Sire Launcelot." "Sire," said he, " sythe ye knowe 
me, helpe me and ye may for Goddes sake ; for I wold 
be oute of this payne at ones outher to dethe or to lyf." 

25 " Have ye no doubte," sayd the heremyte, "ye shall lyve 
and fare ryght wel." And soo the heremyte called to 
hym two of his servauytes^ ; and so he and his servauntes 
bare hym in to the hermytage, and lyghtely unarmed hym 
and leyd hym in his bedde. And thenne anone the 

30 heremyte staunched his blood, and made hym to drynke 

1 ^v.-. 



Chap. XIII.] ARTHUR'S SORROW. 179 

good wyn, so that Sir Launcelot was wel refresshed and 
knewe hym self. For in these dayes it was not the guyse 
of heremytes as is now a dayes. For there were none 
heremytes in tho dayes but that they had ben men of 
worshyp and of prowesse, and tho heremytes helde grete 5 
housholde, and refresshyd peple that were in distresse. 

Now torne we unto kynge Arthur, and leve we Sir 
Launcelot in the hermytage. Soo whan the kynges were 
comen to gyders on bothe partyes, and the grete feeste 
shold be holden, kynge Arthur asked the kynge of North- 10 
galys and theyr felaushyp where was that knyghte thg.t 
bare the reed sieve. " Brynge hym afore me, that he 
may have his lawde and honour and the pryce, as it is 
ryght," Thenne spake Sir Galahad the haute prynce 
and the kynge with the honderd knyghtes, "We suppose 15 
that knyght is mescheved, and that he is never lyke to 
see yow nor none of us alle, and that is the grettest pyte 
that ever we wyste of ony knyghte." " Alias," sayd 
Arthur, "how may this be ? is he soo hurte ? what is 
his name ? " sayd kynge Arthur. " Truly," said they all, 20 
" we knowe not his name, nor from whens he cam, nor 
whyder he wold." "Alias," sayd the kynge, "this be to 
me the werst tydynges that came to me this seven yere ; 
for I wold not for alle the londes I w^elde, to knowe and 
wete it were so that that noble knyght were slayne." 25 
" Knowe ye hym t " sayd they al. " As for that," sayd 
Arthur, " whether I knowe hym or knowe hym not, ye 
shal not knowe for me what man he is, but Almyghty 
Jhesu sende me good^ tydynges of hym," and soo said 
they alle. "By my hede," said Sire Gawayn, " yf it 30 
soo be that the good knyghte be so sore hurte, hit is 
grete dommage and pyte to alle this land, for he is one 
of the noblest knyghtes that ever I sawe in a felde 

1 Repeated. 



180 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIIL 

handle a spere or a suerd. And yf he maye be founde, I 
shalle fynde hym, for I am sure he nys not fer fro this 
towne." " Bere yow wel," sayd kynge Arthur, " and ye 
may fynde hym, onles that he be in suche a plyte that he 
5 may not welde hym self." " Jhesu defende," sayd Sir 
Gawayne, " but wete I shalle what he is, and I may fynde 
hym." Ryght soo Syre Gawayne took a squyer with 
hym, upon hakneis, and rode al aboute Camelot within 
vj or seven myle. But soo he came ageyne, and coude 

10 here no word of hym. 

Thenne within two dayes kynge Arthur and alle the 
felaushyp retorned unto London ageyne. And soo as 
they rode by the waye hit happed Sir Gawayne at Astolat 
to lodge wyth Syr Bernard, there as was Syr Launcelot 

15 lodged. And soo as Sire Gawayn was in his chamber to 
repose hym, Syr Barnard the old baron came unto hym, 
and his doughter Elayne, to chere<hym and to aske hym 
what tydynges and who dyd best at that turnement of 
Wyn Chester. " Soo God me help," said Syre Gawayne, 

20 " there were two knyghtes that bare two whyte sheldes ; 
but the one of hem bare a reed sieve upon his hede, and 
certaynly he was one of the best knyghtes that ever I 
sawe juste in felde. For I dare say," sayd Sire Gawayne, 
" that one knyght with the reed sieve smote doune fourty 

25 knyghtes of the Table Round, and his felawe dyd ryght 
wel and worshypfully." " Now blessid be God," sayd the 
fayre mayden of Astolat, " that that knyght sped soo wel, 
for he is the man in the world that I fyrst loved, and 
truly he shalle be laste that ever I shalle love." " Now, 

30 fayre mayde," sayd Sir Gawayne, " is that good knyght 
your love .^ " "Certaynly, sir," sayd she, "wete ye wel 
he is my love." "Thenne knowe ye his name," sayd 
Sire Gawayne. " Nay, truly," said the damoysel, " I 
knowe not his name nor from whens he cometh, but to 



Chap. XIV.] CAWA/iV AT ASTOLAT. 181 

say that I love hym, I promyse you and God that I love 
hym." "How had ye knouleche of hym fyrst ? " said 
Sire Gawayne. 



Capttulum i\\\]. 

Thenne she told hym as ye have herd to fore, and hou 
her fader betoke hym her broder to doo hym servyse, and 5 
how her fader lente hym her broders Syr Tyrreis shelde, 
" And here with me he lefte his owne sheld." " For what 
cause dyd he so ? " said Sir Gawayne. " For this cause," 
sayd the damoysel, " for his sheld was to wel knowen 
amonge many noble knyghtes." " A, fayr damoysel," lo 
sayd Sir Gawayne, " please hit yow lete me have a syghte 
of that sheld." " Syre," said she, " it is in my chamber 
coverd with a caas, and yf ye wille come with me, ye 
shalle see hit." " Not soo," sayd Syre Barnard tyl his 
doughter, "lete sende for it." Soo whan the sheld was 15 
comen, Sir Gawayne took of the caas; and whanne he 
beheld that sheld he knewe anone that hit was Sir 
Launcelots shelde and his owne armes. " A, Jhesu 
mercy," sayd Syr Gawayne, " now is my herte more 
hevyer than ever it was tofore." "Why? " sayd Elayne. 20 
" For I have grete cause," sayd Sire Gawayne. " Is that 
knyght that oweth this shelde your love ? " " Ye, truly," 
said she, " my love he is : God wold I were his love." 
" Soo God me spede," sayd Sire Gawayne, "fair damoy- 
sel, ye have ryght, for, and he be your love, ye love the 25 
moost honourable knyghte of the world, and the man of 
moost worshyp." " So me thoughte ever," said the 
damoysel, " for never or that tyme, for no knyghte that 
ever I sawe loved I never none erst." " God graunte," 
sayd Sire Gawayne, " that eyther of yow maye rejoyse 30 
other, but that is in a grete adventure. But truly," said 



182 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

Sir Gawayne unto the damoysel, '' ye may saye ye have a 
fayre grace, for why, I have knowen that noble knyght 
this four and twenty yere, and never or that day I nor 
none other knyghte, I dare make good, sawe nor herd 
5 saye that ever he bare token or sygne of no lady, gentil- 
woman, ne mayden, at no justes nor turnement. And 
therfor, fayre mayden," saide Sire Gawayne, " ye ar 
moche beholden to hym to gyve hym thankes. But 1 
drede me," sayd Sire Gawayne, " that ye shalle never see 

10 hym in thys world, and that is grete pyte that ever was 
of erthely knyght." "Alias," sayd she, "how may this 
be } is he slayne ? " "I say not soo," said Sire Gawayne, 
" but wete ye wel, he is grevously wounded by alle maner 
of sygnes, and by mens syghte more lykelyer to be dede 

15 than to be on lyve ; and wete ye wel he is the noble 
knyghte Sire Launcelot, for by this sheld I knowe hym." 
" Alias," said the fayre mayden of Astolat, " how maye 
this be, and what was his hurte ? " " Truly," said Sire 
Gawayne, " the man in the world that loved hym best 

20 hurte hym soo ; and I dare say," sayd Sir Gawayne, 
" and that knyghte that hurte hym knewe the veray 
certaynte that he had hurte Sire Launcelot, it wold be 
the moost sorowe that ever came to his herte." " Now, 
fair fader," said thenne Elayne, " I requyre yow gyve me 

25 leve to ryde and to seke hym, or els I wote wel I shalle 
go oute of my mynde, for I shalle never stynte tyl that I 
fynde hym and my broder Syre Lavayne." " Doo as it 
lyketh yow," sayd her fader, "for me sore repenteth of 
the hurte of that noble knyghte." 

30 Ryghte soo the mayde made her redy, and before Syre 
Gawayne makynge grete dole. Thenne on the morne 
Syr Gawayne came to kynge Arthur, and told hym how 
he had fonde Sire Launcelots shelde in the kepynge of 
the fayre mayden of Astolat. " Alle that knewe I afore 



Chap. XV.j THE QUEEN'S ANGER. 183 

hand," sayd kynge Arthur, " and that caused me I wold 
not suffer you to have adoo atte grete justes, for I 
aspyed," said kynge Arthur, " whan he cam in tyl his 
lodgynge, ful late in the evenynge in Astolat. But 
merveille have I," said Arthur, " that ever he wold here 5 
ony sygne of ony damoysel ; for, or now, I never herd 
say nor knewe that ever he bare ony token of none 
erthely woman." " By my hede," said Sir Gawayne, 
" the fayre mayden of Astolat loveth hym merveyllously 
wel ; what it meaneth I can not saye ; and she is ryden 10 
after to seke hym." Soo the kynge and alle cam to 
London, and there Sire Gawayne openly disclosed to alle 
the courte that it was Sire Launcelot that justed best. 

Capitulum 5V>, 

And whanne Sir Bors herd that, wete ye wel he was 
an hevy man, and soo were alle his kynnesmen. But 15 
whan queue Guenever wyste that Syre Launcelot bare 
the reed sieve of the fayre mayden of Astolat, she was 
nyghe oute of her mynde for wrathe. And thenne she 
sente for Syr Bors de Ganys in alle the hast that myghte 
be. Soo whanne Sire Bors was come to fore the queue, 20 
thenne she sayd, " A, Sire Bors, have ye herd say how 
falsly Sir Launcelot hath bytrayed me?" "Alias, 
madame," said Sire Bors, " I am aferd he hath bytrayed 
hym self and us alle." " No force," said the quene, 
''though he be destroyed, for he is a fals traytour 25 
knyghte." " Madame," sayd Sir Bors, " I pray yow saye 
ye not so, for wete yow wel I maye not here suche 
langage of hym." " Why, Sire Bors," sayd she, " shold 
1 not calle hym traytour, whan he bare the reed sieve 
upon his hede at Wynchestre at the grete justes ? " 30 
"Madame," sayd Syre Bors, "that sleeve beryng repent- 



184 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Hook XVIII. 

eth me sore, but I dar say he clyd it to none evylle 
entente, but for this cause he bare the reed sieve, that 
none yf^ his blood shold knowe hym ; for, or thenne, we 
nor none of us alle never knewe that ever he bare token 
5 or sygne of mayde, lady, ne gentylwoman." " Fy on 
hym," said the quene, "yet for all his pryde and 
bobaunce there ye proved your self his better." " Nay, 
madame, saye ye never more soo, for he bete me and my 
felawes, and myghte have slayne us, and he had wold." 

lo " Fy on hym," sayd the quene, '' for I herd Sir Gawayne 
saye bifore my lord Arthur that it were merveil to telle 
the grete love that is bitwene the fayre mayden of Astolat 
and hym." " Madame," saide Syre Bors, " I maye not 
warne Syr Gawayne to say what it pleasyd hym, but I 

15 dare say as for my lord Syre Launcelot that he loveth no 
lady, gentilwoman, nor mayde, but all he loveth in lyke 
moche, and therfor, madame," said Sir Bors, "ye may 
saye what ye wylle, but wete ye wel I wille haste me to 
seke hym, and fynde hym where somever he be, and God 

20 sende me good tydynges of hym." And soo leve we 
them there and speke we of Sire Launcelot that lay in 
grete perylle. 

Soo as fayr Elayne cam to Wynchestre she soughte 
there al aboute, and by fortune Syr Lavayne was ryden 

25 to playe hym to enchauffe his hors. And anone as 
Elayne sawe hym she knewe hym, and thenne she cryed 
on loude untyl hym. And whan he herd her, anone he 
came to her, and thenne she asked her broder, " How 
dyd my lord Sire Launcelot?" "Who told yow, syster, 

30 that my lordes name was Sir Launcelot ? " Thenne she 
told hym how Sire Gawayne by his sheld knewe hym. 
Soo they rode to gyders tyl that they cam to the hermy- 
tage, and anone she alyghte. So Sir Lavayne broughte 

1 Read of. 



Chap. XV.] ELAYNE GOES TO LAUNCELOT. 185 

her in to Sire Launcelot. And whanne she sawe hym lye 
so seke and pale in his bedde, she myght not speke, but 
sodenly she felle to the erthe doune sodenly in a swoun, 
and there she lay a grete whyle. And whanne she was 
relevyd she shryked and saide, " My lord, Sire Launcelot, 5 
alias, why be ye in this plyte ? " and thenne she swouned 
ageyne. And thenne Sir Launcelot prayd Syre Lavayne 
to "take her up and brynge her to me."^ And whan she 
cam to her self, Sire Launcelot kyst her, and said, " Fair 
mayden, why fare ye thus ? Ye put me to payne ; wher- 10 
for make ye nomore suche chere, for, and ye be come to 
comforte me, ye be ry^//t welcome ; and of this lytel 
hurte that I have I shal be ryghte hastely hole by the 
grace of God. But I merveylle," sayd Sir Launcelot, 
"who told yow my name." Thenne the fayre mayden 15 
told hym alle how Sire Gawayne was lodged with her 
fader : " And there by your sheld he discoverd your 
name." "Alias," sayd Sir Launcelot, "that me repent- 
eth that my name is knowen, for I am sure it wille torne 
unto angre." And thenne Sir Launcelot compast in his 20 
mynde that Syre Gawayne wold telle quene Guenever 
how he bare the reed sieve, and for whome, that he wyst 
wel wold torne unto grete angre. Soo this mayden 
Elayne never wente from Sir Launcelot, but watched hym 
day and nyght, and dyd suche attendaunce to hym that 25 
the Frensshe book saith there was never woman dyd 
more kyndelyer for man than she. Thenne Sir Launcelot 
prayd Sir Lavayne to make aspyes in Wynchestre for 
Sire Bors yf he came there, and told hym by what tokens 
he shold knowe hym, by a wound in his forhede, " For wel 3° 
I am sure," sayd Sire Launcelot, " that Syre Bors wille 
seke me, for he is the same good kny^/^t that hurte me." 

1 By amending me to hym this quotation becomes, of course, 
indirect. 



186 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 



Capitulum jv>j* 

Now torne we unto Sire Bors de Ganys, that cam unto 
Wynchestre to seke after his cosyn, Syre Launcelot ; and 
soo whanne he cam to Wynchestre anone there were men 
that Sire Lavayne had made to lye in a watche for suche 
5 a man, and anone Sir Lavayne had warnynge, and thenne 
Sire Lavayne came to Wynchestre and fond Sir Bors ; 
and there he told hym what he was, and with whome he 
was, and what was his name. " Now, fayr knyghte," said 
Sire Bors, " I requyre yow that ye wille brynge me to my 

10 lord Sir Launcelot." " Syre," sayd Sir Lavayne, " take 
your hors, and within this houre ye shall see hym "; and 
soo they departed and came to the hermytage. 

And whan Sir Bors sawe Sir Launcelot lye in his 
bedde pale and discoloured, anone Sir Bors lost his 

15 countenaunce, and for kyndenes and pyte he myghte not 
speke, but wepte tendirly a grete whyle. And thenne 
whanne he myght speke he said thus : '' O my lord Sire 
Launcelot, God yow blysse, and send yow hasty recover ; 
and ful hevy am I of my mysfortune and of myn unhap- 

20 pynes, for now I may calle my self unhappy, and I drede 
me that God is gretely displeasyd with me that he wold 
suffre me to have suche a shame for to hurte yow, that 
ar alle oure leder and alle oure worshyp, and therfor I 
calle my self unhappy. Alias, that ever suche a caytyf 

25 knyghte as I am shold have power by unhappynes to 
hurte the moost noblest knyghte of the world ; where I 
soo shamefully set upon yow and overcharged yow, and 
where ye myghte have slayne me ye saved me, and so 
dyd not I ; for I and your blood did to yow our utter- 

30 aunce. [ merveyle," sayd Sire Bors, " that my herte or 
my blood wold serve me; wherfor, my lord Sir Launcelot, 



Chap. XVI.] BORS VISITS LAUNCELOT. 187 

I aske your mercy." " Fair cosyn," said Sire Launcelot, 
" ye be ryght welcome, and wete ye wel over moche ye 
say for to please me, the whiche pleaseth me not; for 
why ? I have the same y-sought, for I wold with pryde 
have overcome yow alle, and there in my pryde I was 5 
nere slayne, and that was in myn owne defaute ; for I 
myghte have gyve yow warnyng of my beynge there. 
And thenne had I had noo hurte ; for it is an old sayd 
sawe, ' there is hard bataille there as kynne and frendes 
doo bataille evther ageynste other, there maye be no 10 
mercy but mortal warre.' Therfor, fair cosyn," said Sir 
Launcelot, '' lete thys speche overpasse, and alle shalle 
be welcome that God sendeth, and lete us leve of this 
mater, and lete us speke of somme rejoycynge, for this 
that is done maye not be undone, and lete us fynde a 15 
remedy how soone that I may be hole." 

Thenne Sire Bors lened upon his beddes syde, and 
told Sire Launcelot how the queue was passynge wrothe 
with hym by cause he ware the reed sieve at the grete 
justes. And there Sir Bors told hym alle how Sir 20 
Gawayne discovered hit " by youre sheld that ye lefte 
with the fayre mayden of Astolat." " Thenne is the 
queue wrothe," said Sir Launcelot, " and therfor am I 
ryght hevy, for I deserved no wrath, for alle that I dyd 
was by cause I wold not be knowen." " Ryght so 25 
excused I yow," said Sir Bors, "but alle was in vayne, 
for she sayd more largelyer to me tha;^ I to yow now. 
But is this she," said Sire Bors, "that is so besy aboute 
yow, that men calle the fayre mayden of Astolat ? " " She 
it is," said Sire Launcelot, "that by no meanes I can not 30 
putte her from me." "Why shold ye putte her from 
you } " said Sire Bors, " she is a passynge fayre damoysel, 
and a wel bisene and wel taughte ; and God wold, fayre 
cosyn," said Syre Bors, "that ye coude love her, but as 



1S8 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

to that I may not, nor I dare not coimceyle yow. But I 
see wel," sayd Sir Bors, "by her dylygence aboute you 
that she loveth you entierly." "That me repenteth," 
said Sir Lau;/celot. "Syr," said Syr Bors, "she is not 
5 the fyrst that hath loste her payn upon yow, and that is 
the more pyte." And soo they talked of many moo 
thynges. And soo within thre dayes or four Sire 
Launcelot was bygge and stronge ageyne. 

Capitulum vo\\. 

Thenne Sire Bors told Sire Launcelot how there was 

ID sworne a grete turnement and justes betwixe kynge 
Arthur and the kynge of Northgalys, that sholde be upon 
Al-halowmasse day besyde Wynchestre. " Is that trouthe," 
said Sir Launcelot, " thenne shalle ye abyde with me styl 
a lytyll whyle untyl that I be hole, for I fele my self ryght 

IS bygge and stronge." " Blessid be God," said Syr Bors. 
Thenne were they there nygh a moneth to gyders, and 
ever this mayden Elayn dyd ever her dylygente labour 
nyghte and daye unto Syr Launcelot, that ther was never 
child nor wyf more meker to her fader and husband than 

20 was that fayre mayden of Astolat ; wherfore Sir Bors was 
gretely pleasyd with her. 

Soo upon a day, by the assente of Syr Launcelot, Syre 
Bors, and Syre Lavayne, they made the heremyte to seke 
in woodes for dyverse herbes, and soo Sir Launcelot made 

25 fayre Elayne to gadre herbes for hym to make hym a 
bayne. In the meane whyle Syr Launcelot made hym to 
arme hym at alle pyeces, and there he thoughte to assaye 
his armour and his spere, for his hurte or not. And soo 
whan he was upon his hors, he stered hym fyersly ; and 

30 the hors was passynge lusty and fresshe by cause he was 
not laboured a moneth afore. And thenne Syr Launcelot 



^ 



Chap. XVII.] LA UNCELOT TRIES HIS STRENGTH. 189 

couched that spere in the reest, that courser lepte 
myghtely whan he felte the spores ; and he that was 
upon hym, the whiche was the noblest hors of the world, 
strayned hym myghtely and stably, and kepte stylle the 
spere in the reest. And ther with Syre Launcelot 5 
strayned hym self soo straytly, with soo grete force, to 
gete the hors forward that the buttom of his wound brast 
bothe within and withoute, and there with alle the blood 
cam oute so fyersly that he felte hym self soo feble that 
he myghte not sytte upon his hors. And thenne Syr 10 
Launcelot cryed unto Syr Bors, " A, Syr Bors and Syr 
Lavayne, helpe ! for I am come to myn ende." And 
there with he felle doun on the one syde to the erthe 
lyke a dede corps. And thenne Syr Bors and Syr 
Lavayne came to hym with sorowe makyng out of 15 
mesure. 

And soo by fortune the mayden Elayn herd their 
mornyng, and thenne she came thyder, and whan she 
fond Syr Launcelot there armed in that place, she cryed 
and wepte as she had ben woode ; and thenne she kyst 20 
hym and dyd what she myghte to awake hym. And 
thenne she rebuked her broder and Sir Bors, and called 
hem fals traytours, why they wold take hym out of his 
bedde. There she cryed and sayd she wold appele them 
of his deth. With this came the holy heremyte, Syr 25 
Bawdewyn of Bretayne. And whan he fond Syr Launce- 
lot in that plyte, he sayd but lytel, but wete ye wel he was 
wrothe, and thenne he bad hem, " Lete us have hym in." 
And so they alle bare hym unto the hermytage, and 
unarmed hym, and layd hym in his bedde, and ever more 30 
his wound bledde pytously, but he stered no lymme of 
hym. Thenne the knyghte heremyte put a thynge in his 
nose, and a lytel dele of water in his mouthe. And 
thenne Sir Launcelot waked of his swoune, and thenne 



190 LK MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

the heremyte staunched his bledynge. And whan he 
myghte speke, he asked Sir Launcelot why he putte his 
lyf in jeopardy. " Sir," said Syre Launcelot, " by cause I 
wende I had ben stronge, and also Syre Bors told me 
5 that there shold be at Al-halowmasse a grete justes 
betwixe kynge Arthur and the kynge of Northgalys, and 
therfor I thoughte to assaye hit my self, whether I myght 
be there or not." "A, Syr Launcelot," sayd the here- 
myte, " your herte and your courage wille never be done 

10 untyl your last day, but ye shal doo now by my counceylle : 
lete Sire Bors departe from yow, and lete hym doo at that 
turnement what he may, and by the grace of God," sayd 
the knyghte heremyte, ''by that the turnement be done, 
and ye come hydder ageyne, Syr Launcelot shall be as 

15 hole as ye, soo that he wil be governed by me." 

CapituUim j\ntj» 

Thenne Sire Bors made hym redy to departe from 
Syre Launcelot, and thenne Sire Launcelot sayd, " Faire 
cosyn Syr Bors, recommaunde me unto all them unto 
whome me oughte to recommaunde me unto, and I pray 

20 yow enforce your self at that justes that ye maye be best 
for my love, and here shalle I abyde yow, at the mercy of 
God, tyl ye come ageyne." And so Sir Bors departed 
and came to the courte of kyng Arthur, and told hem in 
what pkice he had lefte Syre Launcelot. " That me 

25 repenteth," said the kynge, "but syn he shall have his 
lyf we all may thanke God." And there Syre Bors told 
the quene in what jeopardy Syre Launcelot was, whanne 
he wold assaye his hors : " And alle that he dyd, madame, 
was for the love of yow, by cause he wold have ben at 

30 this turnement." " Fy on hym, recreaunt knyghte," sayd 
the queue ; " for wete ye wel I am ryght sory and he 



Chap. XVIIL] TOURNAMENT AT IVINCIIESTER. 191 

shalle have his lyf/' " His lyf shalle he have," said Syr 
Bors, "and who that wold other wyse, excepte you, 
madame, we that ben of his blood shold helpe to shorte 
theire lyves. But, madame," sayd Syr Bors, '' ye have ben 
oftymes displesyd with my lord Syr Launcelot, but at all 5 
tymes at the ende ye fynde hym a true knyghte"; and 
soo he departed. And thenne every knyghte of the 
Round Table that were there at that tyme present made 
them redy to be at that justes at AU-halowmasse, and 
thyder drewe many knyghtes of dyverse countreyes. And 10 
as Al-halowemasse drewe nere thydder came the kynge 
of Northgalys, and the kynge with the honderd knyghtes, 
and Syr Galahaut the haute prynce of Surluse, and 
thydder came kynge Anguysshe of Irland, and the kynge 
of Scottes. Soo these thre kynges came on kynge 15 
Arthurs party. And soo that daye Syre Gawayne dyd 
grete dedes of armes, and began fyrst, and the herowdes 
nombred that Sir Gawayne smote doune xx knyghtes. 
Thenne Syr Bors de Ganys came to the same tyme, and 
he was nombred that he smote doune twenty knyghtes. 20 
And therfor the pryce was gyven betwixe them bothe, for 
they began fyrst and lengest endured. 

Also Syr Gareth, as the book sayth, dyd that daye 
grete dedes of armes, for he smote doune and pulled 
doune thyrtty knyghtes. But whan he had done these 2: 
dedes he taryed not, but soo departed, and therfor he 
lost his pryce. And Sir Palomydes did grete dedes of 
armes that day, for he smote doun twenty kny^//tes, but 
he departed sodenly ; and men demed Syre Gareth and 
he rode to gyders to somme maner adventures. Soo 3( 
whan this turnement was done, Syr Bros departed, and 
rode tyl he came to Syre Launcelot his cosyn, and thenne 
he fonde hym walkynge on his feet, and ther eyther made 
grete joye of other, and so Sire Bors tolde Syr Launcelot 



192 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

of all the justes lyke as ye have herde. '' I merveille," 
said Sir Launcelot, " that Syre Gareth, whan he had done 
suche dedes of amies, that he wolde not tary." *' Therof 
we merveyled al," saide Syr Bors, "for but yf it were 
5 yow, or Syr Tristram, or Syre Lamorak de Galys, I sawe 
never kny^//t bere doune soo many in so lytel a whyle as 
dyd Syr Gareth. And anone as he was gone we wyste 
not where." " By my hede,'' said Sir Launcelot, "he is 
a noble knyghte, and a myghty man, and wel brethed, 

10 and yf he were wel assayed," said Sir Launcelot, " I wold 
deme he were good ynough for ony knyghte that bereth 
the lyf, and he is a gentyl knyghte, curtois, true, and 
bounteuous, meke and mylde, and in hym is no maner of 
male engyn, but playne, feythful, and trewe." Soo thenne 

15 they made hem redy to departe from the heremyte, and 
so upon a morne they took their horses and Elayne le 
Blank with them. And whan they came to Astolat, there 
were they wel lodged, and had grete chere of Syre 
Bernard the old baron and of Sir Tyrre his sone, and so 

20 upon the morne, whan Syr Launcelot shold departe, fayre 
Elayne brou^/^t her fader with her and Sir Lavayne and 
Sir Tyrre, and thus she said : 

Capitulum jij. 

" My lord Syr Launcelot, now I see ye wylle departe. 
Now, fayre knyghte and curtois knyghte, have mercy 

25 upon me and suffer me not to dye for thy love." "What 
wold ye that I dyd ? " said Syr Launcelot. " I wold have 
you to my husbond," sayd Elayne. " Fair damoysel, I 
thanke yow," sayd Syr Launcelot, "but truly," sayd he, 
"I cast me never to be wedded man." "Thenne, fair 

30 knyght," said she, " wylle ye be my peramour ? " " Jhesu 
defende me," said Syr Launcelot, " for thenne I rewarded 



Chap. XIX.] LAUNCELOT LEA VES ELA YNE. 



193 



your fader and your broder ful evylle for their grete 
goodenes." "Alias," sayd she, " thenne must I dye for 
your love." " Ye shal not so," said Syre Launcelot, " for 
wete ye wel, fayr mayden, I myght have ben maryed and 
I had wolde, but I never applyed me to be maryed yet ; c 
but by cause, fair damoysel, that ye love me as ye saye 
ye doo, I wille, for your good wylle and kyndenes, shewe 
yow somme goodenes, and that is this, that were somever 
ye wille beset youre herte upon somme goode knyghte 
that wylle wedde yow, I shalle gyve yow to gyders a lo 
thousand pound yerely, to yow and to your heyres ; thus 
moche will I gyve yow, faire madame, for your kyndenes, 
and alweyes whyle I lyve to be your owne knyghte." 
'" Of alle this," saide the mayden, " I wille none, for, but 
yf ye wille wedde me, or ellys be my peramour at the 15 
leest, wete yow wel. Sir Launcelot, my good dayes are 
done." " Fair damoysel," sayd Sir Launcelot, "of these 
ij thynges ye must pardonne me." Thenne she shryked 
shyrly and felle doune in a swoune ; and thenne wymmen 
bare her in to her chamber, and there she made over 20 
moche sorowe. And thenne Sir Launcelot wold departe, 
and there he asked Sir Lavayn what he wold doo. 
"What shold I doo," said Syre Lavayne, "but folowe 
yow, but yf ye dryve me from yow, or commaunde me to 
goo from yow.?" Thenne came Sir Bernard to Sir 25 
Launcelot, and sayd to hym, " I can not see but that my 
doughter Elayne wille dye for your sake." " I maye not 
doo with alle," said Sir Launcelot, "for that me sore 
repenteth ; for I reporte me to youre self that my profer 
is fayre, and me repenteth," said Syr Launcelot, " that she 30 
loveth me as she doth. I was never the causer of hit, 
for I reporte me to youre sone, I erly ne late profered 
her bounte nor faire byhestes ; and as for me," said Sir 
Launcelot, " I dare do alle that a knyght shold doo that 



194 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

she is a clene mayden for me, bothe for dede and for 
wille. And I am ryght hevy of her distresse, for she is a 
ful fayre mayden, good, and gentyl, and well taughte." 
" Fader," said Sir Lavayne, " I dar make goood^ she is a 
5 clene mayden as for my lord Sir Launcelot, but she doth 
as I doo ; for sythen I fyrst sawe my lord Sir Launcelot 
I coude never departe from hym, nor nought I wylle, and 
I maye folowe hym." Thenne Sir Launcelot took his 
leve, and soo they departed, and came unto Wynchestre. 

10 And whan Arthur wyste that Syr Launcelot was come 
hole and sound, the kynge maade grete joye of hym, and 
soo dyd Sir Gawayn and all the kny^//tes of the Round 
Table excepte Sir Agravayn and Sire Mordred. Also 
queue Guenever was woode wrothe with Sir Launcelot, 

15 and wold by no meanes speke with hym, but enstraunged 
her self from hym, and Sir Launcelot made alle the 
meanes that he myght for to speke with the queue, but 
hit wolde not be. 

Now speke we of the fayre. mayden of Astolat that 

20 made suche sorowe daye and nyght that she never slepte, 
ete, nor drank, and ever she made her complaynt unto 
Sir Launcelot. So when she had thus endured a ten 
dayes, that she febled so that she must nedes passe out 
of thys world, thenne she shryved her clene, and receyved 

25 her Creatoure. And ever she complayned stylle upon 
Sire Launcelot. Thenne her ghoostly fader bad her leve 
suche thoughtes. Thenne she sayd, " Why shold I leve 
suche thoughtes ? am I not an erthely woman t And alle 
the whyle the brethe is in my body I may complayne me, 

30 for my byleve is I doo none offence though I love an 
erthely man, and I take God to my record I loved none 
but Sir Launcelot du Lake, nor never shall, and a clene 
mayden I am for hym and for alle other, and sythen hit 

1 Sic. 



Chap. XIX.] DEATH OF ELAYNE. 195 

is the sufferaunce of God that I shalle dye for the love of 
soo noble a knyghte, I byseche the Hyghe Fader of 
heven to have mercy upon my sowle, and upon myn 
innumerable paynes that I suffred may be allygeaunce of 
parte of my synnes. For, swete Lord Jhesu," sayd the 5 
fayre mayden, " 1 take the to record, on the I was never 
grete offenser ageynst thy lawes, but that I loved this 
noble knyght Sire Launcelot out of mesure, and of my 
self, good Lord, I myght hot withstande the fervent love 
wherfor I have my dethe." And thenne she called her 10 
fader Sire Bernard and her broder Sir Tyrre, and hertely 
she praid her fader that her broder myght wryte a letter 
lyke as she did endyte hit ; and so her fader graunted 
her. And whan the letter was wryten word by word lyke 
as she devysed, thenne she prayd her fader that she 15 
myght be watched untyl she were dede. " And whyle my 
body is hote, lete this letter be putt in my ryght hand, 
and my hande bou//de fast with the letter untyl that I be 
cold, and lete me be putte in a fayre bedde with alle the 
rychest clothes that I have aboute me, and so lete my 20 
bedde and alle my rychest clothes be laide with me in a 
charyot unto the next place where Temse is, and there 
lete me be putte within a barget, and but one man with 
me, suche as ye trust to stere me thyder, and that my 
barget be coverd with blak samyte over and over. Thus, 25 
fader, I byseche yow lete hit be done." Soo her fader 
graunted hit her feythfully, alle thynge shold be done lyke 
as she had devysed. Thenne her fader and her broder 
made grete dole, for when this was done, anone she dyed. 
And soo whan she was dede, the corps, and the bedde, 3° 
alle was ledde the next way unto Temse, and there a man, 
and the corps, and alle, were put in to Temse, and soo the 
man styred the barget unto Westmynster, and there he 
rowed a grete whyle to and fro or ony aspyed hit. 



196 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 



Capltulum ix> 

Soo by fortune kynge Arthur and the quene Guenever 
were spekynge to gyders at a wyndowe ; and soo as they 
loked in to Temse, they aspyed this blak barget, and 
hadde merveylle what it mente. Thenne the kynge 
5 called Sire Kay and shewed hit hym. '' Sir," said Sir 
Kay, " wete you wel there js some newe tydynges." 
''Goo thyder," sayd the kynge to Sir Kay, "and take 
with yow Sire Brandyles and Agravayne, and brynge me 
redy word what is there." Thenne these four knyghtes 

lo departed, and came to the barget, and wente in ; and 
there they fond the fayrest corps lyenge in a ryche 
bedde, and a poure man sittyng in the bargets ende, and 
no word wold he speke. Soo these foure knyghtes 
retorned unto the kyng ageyne, and told hym what they 

15 fond. "That fayr corps wylle I see," sayd the kynge. 
And soo thenne the kyng took the quene by the hand 
and went thydder. Thenne the kynge made the barget 
to be holden fast, and thenne the kyng and ///e quene 
entred with certayn kny^//tes wyth them, and there he 

20 sawe the fayrest woman lye in a ryche bedde coverd unto 
her myddel with many ryche clothes, and alle was of 
clothe of gold, and she lay as though she had smyled. 
Thenne the quene aspyed a letter in her ryght hand, and 
told it to the kynge. Thenne the kynge took it and sayd, 

25 " Now am I sure this letter wille telle what she was, and 
why she is come hydder." Soo thenne the kynge and 
the quene wente oute of the barget, and soo commaunded 
a certayne wayte upon the barget. 

And soo whan the kynge was come within his chamber, 

30 he called many knyghtes aboute hym, and saide that he 
wold wete openly what was wryten within that letter. 



Chap. XX.] ELAYNE'S LETTER. 197 

Thenne the kynge brake it, and made a clerke to rede 
hit, and this was the entente of the letter : " Moost noble 
knyghte, Sir Launcelot, now hath dethe made us two at 
debate for your love. I was your lover that men called 
the fayre mayden of Astolat ; therfor unto alle ladyes I 5 
make my mone. Yet praye for my soule, and bery me 
atte leest, and offre ye my masse peny ; this is my last 
request. And a clene mayden I dyed, 1 take God to 
wytnes. Pray for my soule. Sir Launcelot, as thou art 
pierles." This was alle the substance in the letter. And 10 
whan it was redde, the kyng, the quene, and alle the 
knyghtes wepte for pyte of the doleful co;;/playntes. 

Thenne was Sire Launcelot sente for. And whan he 
was come, kynge Arthur made the letter to be redde to 
hym. And whanne Sire Launcelot herd hit word by 15 
word, he sayd, " My lord Arthur, wete ye wel I am ryghte 
hevy of the dethe of this fair damoysel. God knoweth I 
was never causer of her dethe by my wyllynge, and that 
wille I reporte me to her own broder, — here he is. Sir 
Lavayne. I wille not saye nay," sayd Syre Launcelot, 20 
" but that she was bothe fayre and good, and moche I 
was beholden unto her, but she loved me out of mesure." 
" Ye myght have shewed her," sayd the quene, " somme 
bounte and gentilnes that myghte have preserved her 
lyf." "Madame," sayd Sir Launcelot, "she wold none 25 
other wayes be ansuerd, but that she wold be my wyf 
outher els my peramour, and of these two 1 wold not 
graunte her, but I proferd her, for her good love that she 
shewed me, a thousand pound yerly to her and to her 
heyres, and to wedde ony manere knyghte that she coude 30 
fynde best to love in her herte. For, madame," said Sir 
Launcelot, " 1 love not to be constrayned to love ; for 
love muste aryse of the herte, and not by no constraynte." 
"That is trouth," sayd the kynge, "and many knyghtes 



198 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVI IL 

love is free in hym selfe and never wille be bounden, for 
where he is bounden he looseth hym self." Thenne sayd 
the kynge unto Sire Launcelot, " Hit wyl be your worshyp 
that ye over see that she be entered worshypfully." 

5 " Sire," sayd Sire Launcelot, " that shalle be done as 1 
can best devyse." 

And soo many knyghtes yede thyder to behold that 
fayr mayden. And soo upon the morne she was entered 
rychely, and Sir Launcelot offryd her masse peny, and 

lo all the kny^//tes of the Table Round that were there at 
that tyme offryd with Syr Launcelot. And thenne the 
poure man wente ageyne with the barget. Thenne the 
quene sente for Syr Launcelot, and prayd hym of mercy, 
for why that she had ben wrothe with hym causeles. 

15 ''This is not the fyrste tyme," said Sir Launcelot, "that 
ye have ben displeasyd with me causeles ; but, madame, 
ever I must suffre yow, but what sorowe I endure I take no 
force." Soo this paste on alle that wynter with alle manere 
of huntynge and haukyng, and justes and torneyes were 

20 many betwixe many grete lordes, and ever in al places 
Sir Lavayne gate grete worshyp, soo that he was nobly 
renomed amonge many knyghtes of the Table Round. 

Capttulum xi\* 

Thus it past on tyl Crystmasse ; and thenne every day 
there was justes made for a dyamond, who that justed 

25 best shold have a dyamond. But Syr Lau;/celot wold 
not juste but yf it were at a grete justes cryed. But Syr 
Lavayne justed there alle that Crystemasse passyngly 
wel, and best was praysed, for there were but fewe that 
dyd so wel ; wherfore alle manere of knyghtes denied 

30 that Sir Lavayne shold be made knyghte of the Table 
Round at the nexte feeste of Pentecost. Soo at after 



Chap. XXL] THE JOUSTS FOR A DIAMOND. 199 

Crystmasse kynge Arthur lete calle unto hym many 
knyghtes, and there they advysed to gyders to make a 
party and a grete turnement and justes. And the kynge 
of Northgalys sayd to Arthur he wold have on his party 
kynge Anguysshe of Irland, and the kynge with the 5 
honderd knyghtes, and the kynge of Northumberland, 
and Sire Galahad the haute prynce : and soo these foure 
kynges and this myghty duke took party ageynst kynge 
Arthur and the knyghtes of the Table Round. And the 
crye was made that the day of the justes shold be besyde 10 
Westmynstre upon Candylmas day, wherof many knyghtes 
were glad, and made them redy to be at that justes in the 
freyssheyst maner. Thenne queue Guenever sent for Syr 
Launcelot, and said thus : " I warne yow that ye ryde ny 
more in no justes nor turnementys, but that youre kyn- 15 
nesmen may knowe yow. And at thise justes that shall 
be ye shalle have of me a sieve of gold, and I pray yow 
for my sake enforce your self there that men may speke 
of yow worship. But I charge yow as ye will ha^'e 
my love that ye warne youre kynnesmen that ye wille 20 
bere that daye the sieve of gold upon your helmet." 
" Madame," said Sir Launcelot, "it shalle be don"; and 
soo eyther made grete joye of other. And whan Syre 
Launcelot sawe his tyme, he told Sir Bors that he wold 
departe, and have no more with hym but Sir Lavayne, 25 
unto the good heremyte that dwellid in that forest of 
Wyndsoore, his name was Sire Brastias ; and there he 
thoughte to repose hym, and to take alle the rest that he 
myghte by cause he wold be fresshe at that daye of 
justes. Soo Sire Launcelot and Sire Lavayne departed, 30 
that noo creature wyst where he was become, but the 
noble men of his blood. And whanne he was come to 
the hermytage, wete yow wel he had good chere, and soo 
dayly Syr Launcelot wold goo to a welle fast by the 



200 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

hermytage, and there he wold lye doune and see the 
welle sprynge and burbyl, and somtyme he slepte there. 

So at that tyme there was a lady dwellid in that forest, 
and she was a grete huntresse, and dayly she used to 
5 hunte, and ever she bare her bowe with her ; and no man 
wente never with her, but alwayes wymmen, and they 
were shoters, and coude wel kylle a dere bothe at the 
stalke and at the trest ; and they dayly bare bowes and 
arowes, homes and wood knyves, and many good dogges 

lo they had, both for the strynge and for a bate. So hit 
happed this lady, the huntresse, had abated her dogge 
for the bowe at a barayne hynde, and so this barayne 
hynde took the flyghte over hedges and woodes. And 
ever this lady and parte of her wymmen costed the hynde 

15 and chekked it by the noyse of the houndes to have 
mette with the hynde at somme water. And soo hit 
happed the hynde came to the welle where as Sire 
Launcelot was slepyng and slomberynge. And soo whan 
the hynde came to the welle, for hete she wente to soyle, 

20 and there she lay a grete whyle. And the dogges came 
after, and umbecast aboute, for she had lost the veray 
parfyte feaute of the hynde. Ryghte so came that lady 
the huntres, that knewe by thy^ dogge that she had that 
the hynde was at the soyle in that welle ; and there she 

25 cam styfly and fonde the hynde, and she put a brode 
arowe in her bowe, and shot atte hynde, and over shotte 
the hynde, and soo by mysfortune the arowe smote Sir 
Launcelot in the thyck of the buttok, over the barbys. 
Whanne Sir Launcelot felte hym self so hurte, he hurled 

30 up woodely, and sawe the lady that had smyten hym. And 
whan he sawe she was a woman, he sayd thus, " Lady or 
damoysel, what that thow be, in an evylle tyme bare ye a 
bowe; the devylle made yow a shoter." 

1 Read the. 



C H AP. X X 1 1 .] A HUNTRESS WO UNDS LA UNCEL O T. 201 



Capitulum xi. [nij-] 

" Now mercy, fair sir," said the lady, " 1 am a gentil- 
woman that useth here in this forest huntynge, and God 
knoweth I sawe yow not, but as here was a barayn hynde 
at the soyle in this welle, and I wend to have done wel, 
but my hand swarved." " Alias," said Syre Launcelot, 5 
" ye have mescheved me." And soo the lady departed, 
and Sir Launcelot as he myghte pulled oute the arowe, 
and lefte that hede styll in his buttok, and soo he wente 
weykely to the hermytage ever more bledynge as he went. 
And whan Sir Lavayne and the heremyte aspyed that Sir 10 
Launcelot was hurte, wete yow wel they were passynge 
hevy, but Sire Lavayne wyst not how that he was hurte, 
nor by whome. And thenne were they wrothe out of 
mesure. Thenne with grete payne the heremyte gat oute 
the arowes hede oute of Syr Launcelots buttok, and 15 
moche of his blood he shedde, and the wound was 
passynge sore, and unhappyly smyten, for it was in suche 
a place that he myght not sytte in noo sadyl. " A, mercy, 
Jhesu," said Sir Launcelot, " I may calle my self the 
moost unhappyest man that lyveth, for ever whan I wold 20 
faynest have worshyp, there befalleth me ever somme 
unhappy thynge. Now, soo Jhesu me helpe," said Sir 
Launcelot, " and yf no man wold but God, I shalle be in 
the felde upon Candelmasse daye at the justes what 
somever falle of hit." Soo alle that myght be goten to 25 
hele Sir Launcelot was had. 

Soo whan the day was come. Sir Launcelot lete devyse 
that he was arayed, and Sir Lavayne and their horses as 
thou^/z they had ben Sarazyns ; and soo they departed 
and cam nygh to the felde. The kynge of Northgalys 30 
with an honderd knyghtes with hym, and the kynge of 



202 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

, Northumberland broughte with hym an honderd good 
knyghtes, and kynge Anguysshe of Irland brought with 
hym an honderd good knyghtes redy to juste, and Sir 
Galahalt the haute prynce broughte with hym an honderd 
5 good knyghtes, and the kynge with the honderd knyghtes 
brought with hym as many ; and alle these were proved 
good knyghtes. Thenne cam in kyng Arthurs party, and 
there came in the kynge of Scottes with an honderd 
knyghtes, and kynge Uryens of Gore brought with hym 

lo an honderd knyghtes, and kynge Howel of Bretayne 
brou^//te with hym an honderd knyghtes, and Chalaunce 
of Claraunce broughte with hym an honderd knyghtes, 
and kynge Arthur hym self came in to the felde with two 
honderd knyghtes, and the moost party were knyghtes of 

15 the Table Round that were proved noble knyghtes; and 
there were old knyghtes sette in skaffoldes for to juge 
with the queue who dyd best, 

Capitulum xi\\. [nttjj 

Thenne they blewe to the felde, and there the kyng of 
Northgalys encountred with the kynge of Scottes, and 

20 there the kynge of Scottes had a falle, and the kyng of 
Irland smote doune kynge Uryens, and the kyng of 
Northumberland smote doune kynge Howel of Bretayne, 
and Sir Galahaut the haute prynce smote doune Chalenge 
of Claraunce. And thenne kynge Arthur was woode 

25 wroth, and ranne to the kynge with the honderd kny,^//tes, 
and there kyng Arthur smote hym doune ; and after with 
that same spere kynge Arthur smote doune thre other 
knyghtes. And thenne whan his spere was broken kynge 
Arthur dyd passyngly wel. And soo there with alle 

30 came in Syr Gawayne and Sir Gaheryse, Sire Agravayne 
and Sir Mordred, and there everyche of them smote 



Chap. XXIIL] TOURNAMENT AT WESTMINSTER. 203 

doune a knyghte, and Sir Gawayne smote doune four 
kny^/ztes. And thenne there beganne a stronge medle, 
for thenne there came in the knyghtes of Launcelots 
blood, and Sir Gareth and Sire Palomydes with them, 
and many knyghtes of the Table Round, and they 5 
beganne to holde the foure kynges and the myghty duke 
soo hard that they were discomfyte ; but this duke Gala- 
had the haut prynce was a noble knyght, and by his 
myghty prowesse of armes he helde the knyghtes of the 
Table Round strayte ynough. AUe this doynge sawe Sir 10 
Launcelot, and thenne he came in to the felde with Syr 
Lavayne, as hit had ben thonder. And thenne anone 
Syre Bors and the knyghtes of his blood aspyed Sir 
Launcelot, and said to them alle, " I warne yow beware 
of hym with the sieve of gold upon his hede, for he is 15 
hym self Sir Launcelot du Lake." And for grete goode- 
nes Sir Bors warned Syr Gareth. " I am wel apayed," 
said Sir Gareth, " that I may knowe hym." " But who is 
he," sayd they alle, "that rydeth with hym in the same 
aray ? " " That is the good and gentyl knyght Sir 20 
Lavayne," said Sir Bors. Soo Sire Launcelot encou;^tred 
with Sir Gawayne ; and there by force Syr Launcelot 
smote doune Sir Gawayne and his hors to the erthe, and 
soo he smote doune Sir Agravayne and Sire Gaherys, 
and also he smote doune Sir Mordred, and alle this was 25 
with one spere. 

Thenne Sir Lavayne mette with Sir Palomydes, and 
eyther mette other soo hard and so fyersly that bothe 
their horses felle to the erthe. And thenne were they 
horsed ageyne, and thenne mette Sir Launcelot with Sir 30 
Palomydes, and there Sire Palomydes had a falle. And 
soo Sir Launcelot, or ever he stynte, as fast as he myghte 
gete speres, he smote doun thyrtty knyghtes, and the 
moost party of them were kny^/^tes of the Table Round. 



204 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

And ever the knyghtes of his blood withdrewe them, and 
made hem adoo in other places where Sir Launcelot 
came not. And thenne kyng Arthur was wrothe whan 
he sawe Sir Launcelot doo suche dedes. And thenne 
5 the kynge called unto hym Sir Gawayn, Sir Mordred, Sir 
Kay, Sir Gryflet, Sir Lucan the Butteler, Syre Pedever, 
Sir Palomydes, Sir Safyr his broder ; and so the kynge 
with these nyne knyghtes made hem redy to sette upon 
Sir Launcelot and upon Syr Lavayne. Alle this aspyed 

lo Sir Bors and Sir Gareth, " Now I drede me sore," said 
Sir Bors, " that my lord Syr Launcelot wylle hard be 
matched." " By my hede," sayd Syr Gareth, " I wylle 
ryde unto my lord Sir Launcelot for to helpe hym, falle 
of hym what falle may, for he is the same man that made 

15 me knyghte." "Ye shalle not soo," said Sir Bors, "by 
my counceylle, onles that ye were desguysed." " Ye 
shalle see me dysguysed," said Syre Gareth; and there 
with al he aspyed a Walysshe knyghte where he was to 
repose hym, and he was sore hurte afore, hurte by Syr 

20 Gawayne, and to hym Syre Gareth rode, and praid hym 
of his knyghthode to lene hym his shelde for his. " I 
wille wel," said the Walysshe knyghte. And whanne Sir 
Gareth had his shelde, the book saith, it was grene, wyth 
a mayden that semed in hit. Thenne Syr Gareth came 

25 dryvynge to Sir Launcelot al that he myghte, and said, 
" Knyghte, kepe thy self, for yonder cometh kyng Arthur 
with nyne noble kny^/^tes with hym to putte yow to a 
rebuke, and so I am come to bere yow felaushyp for 
old love ye have shewed me." " Gramercy," said Sir 

30 Launcelot. " Syr," sayd Sir Gareth, " encountre ye with 
Sir Gawayne, and I shalle encountre with Syre Palomydes, 
and lete Sir Lavayne matche with the noble kynge Arthur. 
And whan we have delyverd hem, lete us thre hold us 
sadly to gyders." 



Chap. XXIII.] THE TOURNAMENT CONTINUES. 205 

Thenne came kynge Arthur with his nyne kny^/ztes 
with hym, and Sir Launcelot encountred with Sir 
Gawayne, and gafe hym suche a buffet that the arson 
of his sadel brast, and Syre Gawayne felle to the erthe. 
Thenne Sir Gareth encountred with the good knyghte 5 
Sir Palomydes, and he gaf hym suche a buffet that bothe 
his hors and he dasshed to the erthe. Thenne encountred 
kynge Arth[u]r with Sire Lavayne, and there eyther of 
hem smote other to the erthe, hors and alle, that they 
lay a grete whyle. Thenne Sir Launcelot smote doune lo 
Syr Agravayne, and Syre Gaheryse, and Syr Mordred, 
and Syr Gareth smote doune Syr Kay, and Syr Safyr, 
and Syr Gryfiet. And thenne Syr Lavayne was horsed 
ageyne, and he smote doune Syre Lucan the Butteler and 
Syr Bedever, and thenne there beganne grete thrange of 15 
good knyghtes. Thenne Syre Launcelot hurtlyd here 
and there, and racyd and pulled of helmes, soo that at 
that tyme there myght none sytte hym a buffet with spere 
nor with suerd. And Syr Gareth dyd suche dedes of 
armes that all men merveylled what knyghte he was with 20 
the grene sheld ; for he smote doune that daye and 
pulled doune moo than thyrtty knyghtes. And, as the 
Frensshe book sayth, Syr Launcelot merveylled, whan he 
beheld Syr Gareth doo suche dedes, what knyghte he 
myghte be ; and Syr Lavayne pulled doune and smote 25 
doune twenty knyghtes. Also Syr Launcelot knewe 
not Syr Gareth, for, and Syr Tristram de Lyones outher 
Syr Lamorak de Galys had ben alyve, Syr Launcelot 
wold have demed he had ben one of them tweyne. 
Soo ever as Syr Launcelot, Syr Gareth, Syr Lavayn 30 
faughte, and on the one syde Syr Bors, Syr Ector 
de Marys, Syr Lyonel, Syr Lamorak de Galys, Syr 
Bleoberys, Syr Galyhud, Syr Galyhodyn, Syr Pelleas, 
and wyth moo other of kynge Bans blood foughte 



206 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XVIIL 

upon another party, and helde the kynge with the 
honderd knyghtes, and the kyng of Northumberland, 
ryght strayte. 

Capitulum v^\\\\. 

Soo this turnement and this justes dured longe, tyl hit 
5 was nere nyghte, for the knyghtes of the Round Table 
releved ever unto kynge Arthur; for the kynge was 
wrothe oute of mesure that he and his knyghtes myght 
not prevaile that day. Thenne Sire Gawayne said to the 
kynge, " I merveile where alle this day Syr Bors de 

lo Ganys and his felaushyp of Syre Launcelots blood [be] ; 
I merveylle all this day they be not aboute yow. Hit is 
for somme cause," sayd Syr Gawayne. " By my hede," 
said Sire Kay, '' Syre Bors is yonder all this day upon 
the ryghte hand of this felde, and ther he and his blood 

15 done more worshypfully than we doo." " It may wel be," 
sayd Syr Gawayne, " but I drede me ever of gyle, for on 
payne of my lyf," said Sir Gawayne, '' this knyghte with 
the reed sieve of gold is hym self Syr Launcelot, I see 
wel by his rydynge and by his grete strokes, and the 

20 other knyghte in the same colours is the good yonge 
knyght Sir Lavayne. Also that knyghte with the grene 
shelde is my broder Syr Gareth, and yet he hath des- 
guysed hym self, for no man shalle never make hym be 
ageynst Sir Launcelot, by cause he made hym knyghte." 

25 "By my hede," said Arthur, " nevewe, I byleve yow; 
therfore telle me now what is youre best counceyll." 
" Sir," said Sir Gawayne, " ye shalle have my counceylle ; 
lete blowe unto lodgynge, for, and he be Syr Launcelot 
du Lake and my broder Syr Gareth with hym with the 

30 helpe of that good yong knyghte Syr Lavayne, trust me 
truly it wyll be no bote to stryve with them, but yf we 



Chap. XXIV.] LA UNCE LOT'S TRLUMPH. 207 

shold falle ten or xij upon one knyghte, and that were no 
worship but shame." " Ye saye trouthe," sayd the kyng, 
'' and for to saye sothe," said the kynge, " it were shame 
to us, soo many as we be, to sette upon them ony more ; 
for wete ye wel," sayd kyng Arthur, "they ben thre 5 
good knyghtes, and namely that knyght with the sieve 
of gold." 

Soo thenne they blewe unto lodgyng ; but forth with 
all kyng Arthur lete sende unto the four kynges, and to 
the myghty duke, and praid hem that the knyghte with 10 
the sieve of gold departe not fro them, but that the kyng 
may speke with hym. Thenne fourthe with alle kyng 
Arthur alighte, and unarmed hym, and took a litill 
hakney, and rode after Sire Launcelot, for ever he had a 
spye upon hym. And soo he fonde hym amonge the 15 
four kynges and the duke, and there the kyng prayd hem 
alle unto souper, and they sayd they wold with good 
wylle. And whan they were unarmed, thenne kyng 
Arthur knewe Sire Launcelot, Sir Lavayne, and Sir 
Gareth. " A, Syre Launcelot," sayd kynge Arthur, " this 20 
daye ye have heted me and my knyghtes." Soo they 
yede unto Arthurs lodgynge al to gyder, and there was a 
grete feest and grete revel, and the pryce was gyven unto 
Syr Launcelot, and by herowdes they named hym that he 
had smyten doune fyfty knyghtes, and Sire Gareth fyve 25 
and thyrtty, and Sir Lavayne four and twenty knyghtes. 
Thenne Sir Launcelot told the kynge and the quene how 
the lady huntresse shote hym in the foreste of Wynde- 
soore in the buttok with a brood arowe, and how the 
wound therof was that tyme syxe inches depe, and in 30 
lyke longe. Also Arthur blamed Syr Gareth, by cause 
he lefte his felaushyp and helde with Sir Launcelot. 
" My lord," sayd Sir Gareth, " he maade me a knyghte, 
and whanne I sawe hym soo hard bestadde me thought 



208 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XVIII. 

it was my worshyp to helpe hym, for I sawe hym do soo 
moche, and soo many noble knyghtes ageynst hym ; and 
whan 1 understood that he was Sir Launcelot du Lake I 
shamed to see soo many knyghtes ageynst hym alone." 
5 ''Truly," sayd kynge Arthur unto Syre Gareth, "ye saye 
wel, and worshypfuUy have ye done and to your self grete 
worshyp, and alle the dayes of my lyf/' sayd kynge 
Arthur unto Sir Gareth, " wete yow wel 1 shalle love yow 
and truste yow the more better; for ever," sayd Arthur, 

lo " hit is a worshypful knyghtes dede to helpe an other 
worshypful knyghte whanne he seeth hym in a grete 
daunger, for ever a worshipful man will be lothe to see a 
worshipful shamed, and he that is of no worship and 
fareth with cowardyse, never shall he shewe gentilnes, 

15 nor no maner of goodnes, where he seeth a man in ony 
daunger, for thenne ever wylle a coward shewe no mercy, 
and alwayes a good man wille doo ever to another man 
as he wold ben done to hym self." Soo thenne there 
were grete feestes unto kynges and dukes, and revel, 

20 game, and playe, and al maner of noblesse was used ; 
and he that was curtois, true, and feythful to his frende 
was that tyme cherysshed. 

Capttulum 55\\ 

And thus it past on from Candylmas untyl after Ester 
that the moneth of May was come, whan every lusty 

25 herte begynneth to blosomme and to brynge forth fruyte ; 
for lyke as herbes and trees bryngen forth fruyte and 
florysshen in May, in lyke wyse every lusty herte that is 
in ony maner a lover spryngeth and floryssheth in lusty 
dedes. For it gyveth unto al lovers courage, that lusty 

30 moneth of May, in some thyng to constrayne hym to 
some maner of thyng more in that moneth than in ony 



Chap. XXV.] THE WAYS OF LOVERS. 209 

other moneth for dyverse causes. For thenne alle herbes 
and trees renewen a man and woman, and lyke wyse 
lovers callen ageyne to their mynde old gentilnes and old 
servyse, and many kynde dedes were forgeten by necly- 
gence. For lyke as wynter rasure doth alway a rase and 5 
deface grene somer, soo fareth it by unstable love in man 
and woman. For in many persons there is no stabylyte. 
For we may see al day, for a lytel blast of wynters rasure, 
anone we shalle deface and lay a parte true love for lytel 
or noughte, that cost moch thynge. This is no wysedome 10 
nor stabylyte, but it is feblenes of nature and grete dis- 
worshyp who somever used this. Therfore, lyke as May 
moneth floreth and floryssheth in many gardyns, soo in 
lyke wyse lete every man of worship florysshe his herte 
in this world, fyrst unto God and next unto the joye of 15 
them that he promysed his feythe unto, for there was 
never worshypful man or worshipfull woman, but they 
loved one better than another; and worshyp in armes 
may never be foyled, but fyrst reserve the honour to God, 
and secondly the quarel must come of thy lady; and 20 
suche love I calle vertuous love. But now adayes men 
can not love seven ny^/^te but they must have alle their 
desyres, that love may not endure by reason ; for where 
they ben soone accorded and hasty hete, soone it keleth. 
Ryghte soo fareth love now a dayes, sone hote, soone 25 
cold. This is noo stabylyte, but the old love was not so. 
Men and wymmen coude love to gyders seven yeres, and 
no lycours lustes were bitwene them, and thenne was 
love trouthe and feythfulnes ; and loo in lyke wyse was 
used love in kynge Arthurs dayes. Wherfor I lyken love 30 
now adayes unto somer and wynter, for lyke as the one 
is hote and the other cold, so fareth love now a dayes. 
Therfore, alle ye that be lovers, calle unto your remem- 
braunce the moneth of May, lyke as dyd queue Guenever, 



210 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. 

for whome I make here a lytel mencyon, that whyle slu 
lyved she was a true lover, and therfor she had a good 
ende. 

lEjplictt Itber ©cto^ecimus. 



Ibere folowetb tbe jyj \)oo\i. 
Capitulum prime. 

As Syr Mordred was rular of alle Englond, he dyd do 
make letters as though that they came from beyonde the 
see, and the letters specefyed that kynge Arthur was 
slayn in bataylle wyth Syr Launcelot. Wherfore Syr 
Mordred made a Parlemente, and called the lordes 5 
togyder, and there he made them to chese hym kyng, 
and soo was he crowned at Caunterburye, and helde a 
feest there xv dayes ; and afterward he drewe hym unto 
Wynchester, and there he took the quene Guenever, and 
sayd playnly that he wolde wedde hyr, whyche was his lo 
unkyls wyf and his faders wyf. And soo he made redy 
for the feest, and a day prefyxt that they shold be 
wedded ; wherfore quene Gwenever was passyng hevy. 
But she durst not dyscover hyr herte, but spake fayre, 
and agreyd to Syr Mordredes wylle. 15 

Thenne she desyred of Syr Mordred for to goo to 
London, to bye alle manere of thynges that longed unto 
the weddyng. And by cause of hyr fayre speche Syr 
Mordred trusted hyr wel ynough, and gaf her leve to goo. 
And soo whan she came to London, she took the toure 20 
of London, and sodeynlye in alle haste possyble she 
stuffed hyt wyth alle manere of vytaylle, and wel gar- 
nysshed it with men, and soo kepte hyt. Than whan 
Syr Mordred wyste and understode how he was begyled, 
he was passyng wrothe oute of mesure. And a shorte 25 
tale for to make, he wente and layed a myghty syege 
aboute the toure of London, and made many grete 



212 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

assaultes therat. And threwe many grete engynes unto 
theym, and shotte grete gonnes. But alle myght not 
prevaylle Syr Mordred ; for queue Guenever wolde never, 
for fayre speche nor for foule, wold never truste to come 
5 in hys handes ageyn. 

Thenne came the bysshop of Caunterburye, the whyche 
was a noble clerke and an holy man, and thus he sayd to 
Syr Mordred : " Syr, what wyl ye doo ? wyl ye fyrst dys- 
plese God and sythen shame your self and al knyght- 

lo hode ? Is not kyng Arthur your uncle, no ferther but 
your moders broder, and on hir hym self kyng Arthur 
bygate you upon his own syster ? Therfor how may you 
wedde your faders wyf ? Syr," sayd the noble clerke, 
" leve this oppynyon, or I shall curse you wyth book, and 

15 belle, and candell." " Do 'thou thy werst," said Syr 
Mordred, " wyt thou wel I shal defye the." '' Sir," sayd 
the bysshop, " and wyt you wel I shal not fere me to do 
that me ou^//t to do. Also where ye noyse where my 
lord Arthur is slayne, and that is not so, and therfore ye 

20 wyl make a foule werke in this londe." '' Pees, thou fals 
preest," sayd Syr Mordred, " for, and thou chauffe me 
ony more, I shal make stryke of thy heed." So the 
bysshop departed, and dyd the cursyng in the moost 
orgulist wyse that myght be doon. And than Syr 

25 Mordred sought the bysshop of Caunterburye for to have 
slayne hym. Than the bysshop fledde, and toke parte of 
his goodes with hym, and went nygh unto Glastynburye, 
and there he was as preest eremyte in a chapel, and 
lyved in poverte and in holy prayers ; for wel he under- 

30 stode that myschevous warre was at honde. Than Syr 
Mordred sought on queue Guenever by letters and 
sondes, and by fayr meanes and foul meanys, for to have 
hir to come oute of the toure of London, but al this 
avaylled not, for she answerd hym shortelye, openlye, 



Chap. I.] ARTHUR'S RETURN. 213 

and pryvelye, that she had lever slee hyr self than to be 
maryed wyth hym. Than came worde to Syr Mordred 
that kyng Arthur had araysed the syege for^ Syr Launce- 
lot, and he was comyng homeward wyth a grete hoost to 
be avenged upon Syr Mordred. Wherfore Syr Mordred 5 
maad wryte wryttes to al the barownry of thys londe, and 
moche peple drewe to hym ; for than was the comyn 
voys emonge them that wyth Arthur was none other lyf 
but warre and stryffe, and wyth Syr Mordred was grete 
joye and blysse. Thus was Syr Arthur depraved and 10 
evyl sayd of. And many ther were that kyng Arthur 
had made up of nought, and gyven them landes, myght 
not than say hym a good worde. 

Lo ye al Englissh men, see ye not what a myschyef 
here was? for he that was the moost kyng and knyght 15 
of the world, and moost loved the felyshyp of noble 
knyghtes, and by hym they were al upholden ; now 
myght not this Englyssh men holde them contente wyth 
hym. Loo thus was the olde custome and usage of this 
londe. And also men saye that we of thys londe have 20 
not yet loste ne foryeten that custome and usage. Alas ! 
thys is a grete defaulte of us Englysshe men ; for there 
may no thynge plese us noo terme. And soo faryd the 
people at that tyme ; they were better plesyd with Sir 
Mordred than they were with kyng Arthur, and moche 25 
peple drewe unto Sir Mordred, and sayd they wold abyde 
with hym for better and for werse. And soo Syr 
Mordred drewe with a grete hoost to Dover, for there he 
herd saye that Sir Arthur wold arryve, and soo he 
thoughte to bete his owne fader from his landes, and the 30 
moost party of alle Englond helde with Sire Mordred, 
the peple were soo newe fangle. 

^ Read from ? or read Gawayii in place of Launcelot? The 
former seems preferable. See Notes. 



214 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 



Capttulum ij\ 

And soo as Sire Mordred wat^ at Dover with his host, 
there came kyng Arthur with a grete navye of shyppes 
and galeyes and carryks ; and there was Syr Mordred 
redy awaytynge upon his londage, to lette his owne fader 
5 to la;/de up the lande that he was kyng over. Thenne 
there was launcynge of grete botes and smal, and ful of 
noble men of armes, and there was moche slaughter of 
gentyl knyghtes, and many a full bolde baron was layd 
ful lowe on bothe partyes. But kynge Arthur was soo 

10 couragyous that there myght no maner of knyghtes lette 
hym to lande, and his knyghtes fyersly folowed hym, and 
so they landed maulgre Sir Mordreds and alle his power, 
and put Sir Mordred abak, that he fledde and alle his 
peple. Soo whan this batail was done, kyng Arthur lete 

15 burye his peple that were dede, and thenne was noble 
Syr Gawayne fonde in a grete bote lyenge more than 
half dede. 

Whan Syr Arthur wyst that Syre Gawayne was layd so 
lowe, he wente unto hym, and there the kyng made 

20 sorowe oute of mesure, and took Sire Gawayne in his 
armes, and thryes he there swouned. And thenne whan 
he awaked he sayd, " Alias ! Sir Gawayne, my systers 
sone, here now thow lyggest, the man in the world that 
I loved moost, and now is my joye gone ; for now, my 

25 nevewe Syre Gawayne, I will discover me unto your 
persone ; in Syr Launcelot and you I moost had my joye 
and myn affyaunce, and now have I lost my joye of you 
bothe, wherfor alle myn erthely joye is gone from me." 
" Myn unkel kyng Arthur," said Sir Gawayn, " wete you 

30 wel, my deth day is come, and alle is thorou myn owne 

1 Read was ? 



Chap. II.] THE LETTER TO LAUNCELOT 215 

hastynes and wilfulnes, for I am smyten upon thold 
wounde the which Sir Launcelot gaf me, on the whiche 
I fele wel I must dye ; and had Sir Lau;2celot ben with 
you as he was, this unhappy werre had never begonne, 
and of alle this am I causer ; for Sir Lau^^celot and his 5 
blood thorou their prowes helde alle your cankeryd 
enemyes in subjectyon and daungere. And now," sayd 
Sir Gawayne, " ye shalle mysse Sir Launcelot. But 
alias ! I wold not accorde with hym, and therfor," sayd 
Syr Gawayne, " I praye yow, fayre unkel, that I may 10 
have paper, pen, and ynke, that I may wryte to Syre 
Launcelot a cedle with myn owne handes." And thenne 
whan paper and ynke was broughte, thenne Gawayn was 
set up weykely by kynge Arthur, for he was shryven a 
lytel tofore, and thenne he wrote thus as the Frensshe 15 
book maketh mencyon : " Unto Syre Launcelot, floure of 
alle noble knyghtes that ever I herd of, or sawe by my 
dayes, I Syre Gawayne, kynge Lottes sone of Orkeney, 
syster sone unto the noble kyng Arthur, sende the 
gretynge, and lete the have knowleche, that the tenth 20 
day of May I was smyten upon the old wound that thou 
gavest me afore the cyte of Benwyck, and thorow the 
same wou;/d that thou gavest me I am come to my dethe 
day. And I wil that alle the world wete that I Sir 
Gawayne, knyghte of the Table Round, soughte my 25 
dethe, and not thorou thy deservynge, but it was myn 
owne sekynge, wherfor I byseche the. Sir Launcelot, to 
retorne ageyne unto this realme, and see my tombe, and 
praye some prayer more or lesse for my soule. And this 
same day that I wrote this sedyl, I was hurte to the dethe 30 
in the same wound, the whiche I had of thy hand, Syr 
Launcelot ; for a^ of a more nobler man myghte I not be 
slayne. Also, Sir Launcelot, for alle the love that ever 

1 Omit a. 



216 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

was betwyxe us, make no taryenge, but come over the 
see in al haste, that thow mayst with thy noble knyghtes 
rescowe that noble kynge that made the knyghte, that is 
my lord Arthur, for he is ful streyghtly bestadde with a 
5 fals traytour, that is my half broder Syr Mordred, and he 
hath lete croune hym kynge, and wold have wedded my 
lady quene Guenever, and soo had he done, had she not 
put her self in the toure of London. And soo the x day 
of May last past, my lord Arthur and we alle landed 

10 upon them at Dover, and there we putte that fals traytour 
Syre Mordred to flyghte, and there it mysfortuned me to 
be stryken upon thy stroke. And at the date of this 
letter was wryten but two houres and an half afore my 
dethe, wryten with myn owne hand, and soo subscrybed 

15 with parte of my hertes blood. And I requyre the, 
moost famous knyghte of the world, that thou wylt see 
my tombe." And thenne Sir Gawayne wept, and kynge 
Arthur wepte, and the/me they swouned both. And 
whan they awaked bothe, the kynge made Syr Gawayn 

20 to receyve his Saveour. And thenne Sir Gawayne praid 
the kynge for to sende for Sir Launcelot, and to cherysshe 
hym above alle other knyghtes. And so at the houre of 
none, Syr Gawayn yelded up the spyryte, and thenne the 
kynge lete entiere hym in a chappel within Dover Castel, 

25 and there yet alle men maye see the sculle of hym, and 
the same wound is sene that Syr Launcelot gaf hym ip 
bataill. Thenne was it told the kynge that Syr Mordred 
had pyghte a newe feld upon Baramdoune. And upon 
the morne the kynge rode thyder to hym, and there was 

30 a grete bataille betwixe them, and moche peple was 
slayne on bothe partyes, but at the last Syr Arthurs 
party stode best, and Sir Mordred and his party fledde 
unto Cau/^turbery. 



Chap. III.] ARTHUR'S DREAM. IVl 



Capttulum it]. 

And thenne the kyng lete serche all the townes for his 
knyghtes that were slayne, and enteryd them, and salved 
them with softe salves that so sore were wounded. 
Thenne moche peple drewe unto kynge Arthur^ And 
thenne they sayd that Sir Mordred warred upon kyng 5 
Arthur with wronge, and thenne kynge Arthur drewe hym 
with his hoost doune by the see syde, westward toward 
Salysbury, and ther was a day assygned betwixe kyng 
Arthur and Sire Mordred that they shold mete upon a 
doune besyde Salysbury, and not ferre from the see syde ; lo 
and this day was assygned on a Monday after Trynyte 
Sonday, wherof kyng Arthur was passyng glad that he 
myghte be avengyd upon Sire Mordred. Thenne Syr 
Mordred areysed moche peple aboute London, for they 
of Kente, Southsex, and Surrey, Estsex, and of South- 15 
folke, and of Northfolk, helde the most party with Sir 
Mordred, and many a ful noble knyghte drewe unto Syr 
Mordred and to the kynge, but they [that] loved Sir 
Launcelot drewe unto Syr Mordred. 

Soo upon Trynyte Sonday at nyghte kynge Arthur 20 
dremed a wonderful dreme, and that was this, that hym 
semed he satte upon a chaflet in a chayer, and the chayer 
was fast to a whele, and therupon satte kynge Arthur in 
the rychest clothe of gold that myghte be made ; and the 
kyng thoughte ther was under hym, fer from hym, an 25 
hydous depe blak water, and there in were alle maner 
of serpentes and wormes and wylde bestes foule and 
horryble ; and sodenly the kynge thoughte the whele 
torned up soo doune, and he felle amonge the serpentys, 
and every beest took hym by a lymme, and thenne the 30 
kynge cryed as he lay in his bedde and slepte, " Helpe ! " 



218 LE MOKTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

And thenne knyghtes, squyers, and yomen awaked the 
kynge, and thenne he was soo amased that he wyst not 
where he was. 

And thenne he felle on slomberynge ageyn, not slep- 
5 ynge nor thorouly wakynge. So the kynge semed veryly 
that there came Syr Gawayne unto hym with a nombre 
of fayre ladyes with hym. And whan kynge Arthur sawe 
hym, thenne he sayd, " Welcome, my systers sone, I 
wende thou haddest ben dede, and now I see the on 

lo lyve, moche am I beholdynge unto almyghty Jhesu. O 
fayre nevewe and my systers sone, what ben these ladyes 
that hydder be come with yow ? " "Sir," said Sir 
Gawayne, " alle these ben ladyes for whome I have 
foughten whanne I was man lyvynge, and alle these are 

15 tho that I dyd batail for in ryghteuous quarel, and God 
hath gyven hem that grace at their grete prayer, by cause 
I dyd bataille for hem, that they shold brynge me hydder 
unto yow. Thus moche hath God gyven me leve for to 
warne yow of youre dethe, for, and ye fyghte as to morne 

20 with Syre Mordred, as ye bothe have assygned, doubte 
ye not ye must be slayne, and the moost party of your 
peple on bothe partyes, and for the grete grace and 
goodenes that Almyghty Jhesu hath unto yow, and for 
pyte of yow and many moo other good men there shalle 

25 be slayne, God hath sente me to yow, of his specyal 
grace, to gyve yow warnynge, that in no wyse ye doo 
bataille as to morne, but that ye take a treatyce for a 
moneth day, and profer yow largely, so as to morne to 
be putte in a delaye. For within a monethe shalle come 

30 Syr Launcelot, with alle his noble knyghtes, and rescowe 
yow worshipfuUy, and slee Sir Mordred and alle that 
ever wylle holde with hym." 

Thenne Syr Gawayne and al the ladyes vaynquysshed.^ 

1 Read vanysslied. 



Chap. IV.] ARTHUR TAKES COUNSEL. 219 , 

And anone the kyng callyd upon hys knyghtes, squyers, 
and yemen, and charged them wyghtly to fetche his noble 
lordes and wyse bysshoppes unto hym. And whan they 
were come, the kyng tolde hem his avysyon what Sir 
Gawayn had tolde hym, and warned hym that yf he 5 
faught on the morne he shold be slayn. Than the kyng 
comaunded Syr Lucan de Butlere, and his broder Syr 
Bedwere, with two bysshoppes wyth hem, and charged 
theym in ony wyse and they myght take a traytyse for a 
monthe day wyth Syr Mordred. " And spare not, proffre 10 
hym londes and goodes, as moche as ye thynke best." 
So than they departed and came to Syr Mordred, where 
he had a grymme boost of an hondred thousand men. 
And there they entreted Syr Mordred longe tyme, and at 
the laste Syr Mordred was agreyd for to have Cornwayl 15 
and Kente by Arthures dayes ; after, alle Englond after 
the dayes of kyng Arthur. 

Capttulum \\\\. 

Than were they condesended that kyng Arthure and 
Syr Mordred shold mete betwyxte bothe theyr hoostes, 
and everyche of them shold brynge fourtene persones ; 20 
and they came wyth thys word unto Arthure. Than sayd 
he, " I am glad that thys is done." And so he wente in 
to the felde. And whan Arthure shold departe, he 
warned al hys boost that, and they see ony swerde 
drawen, " Look ye come on fyersly, and slee that traytour 25 
Syr Mordred, for I in noo wyse truste hym." In lyke 
wyse Syr Mordred warned his boost that, " And ye see 
ony swerde drawen, look that ye come on fyersly, and 
soo slee alle that ever before you stondeth, for in no 
wyse I wyl not truste for thys treatyse ; for I knowe wel 30 
my fader wyl be avenged on me." And soo they mette 



220 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

as theyr poyntemente was, and so they were agreyd and 
accorded thorouly ; and wyn was fette and they dranke. 
Ryght soo came an adder oute of a lytel hethe busshe, 
and hyt stonge a knyght on the foot ; and whan the 
5 knyght felte hym stongen, he looked doun and sawe the 
adder, and than he drewe his swerde to slee the adder, 
and thought of none other harme. And whan the hoost 
on bothe partyes saw that swerde drawen, than they 
blewe beamous, trumpettes, and homes, and shouted 

ID grymly. And so bothe hoostes dressyd hem to gyders. 
And kyng Arthur took his hors and sayd, '' Alias ! thys 
unhappy day," and so rode to his partye ; and Syr 
Mordred in like wyse. And never was there seen a more 
doolfuller bataylle in no Crysten londe ; for there was but 

15 russhyng and rydyng, fewnyng and strykyng, and many a 
grymme worde was there spoken eyder to other, and 
many a dedely stroke. But ever kyng Arthur rode 
thorugh oute the bataylle of Syr Mordred many tymes, 
and dyd ful nobly as a noble kyng shold, and at al tymes 

20 he faynted never, and Syr Mordred that day put hym in 
devoyr and in grete perylle. 

And thus they faughte alle the longe day, and never 
stynted tyl the noble knyghtes were layed to the colde 
erthe ; and ever they faught stylle tyl it was nere nyghte, 

25 and by that tyme was there an hondred thousand layed 
deed upon the down. Thenne was Arthure wode wrothe 
oute of mesure, whan he sawe his peple so slayn from 
hym. Thenne the kyng loked aboute hym, and thenne 
was he ware, of al hys hoost and of al his good knyghtes 

30 were lefte no moo on lyve but two knyghtes, that one 
was Syr Lucan de Butlere, and his broder Syr Bedwere ; 
and they were ful sore wounded. " Jhesu, mercy," sayd 
the kyng, " where are al my noble knyghtes becomen ? 
Alas ! that ever 1 shold see thys dolefull day, for now," 



Chap. IV.] THE LAST BATTLE. Ill 

sayd Arthur, '' I am come to myn ende. But wolde to 
God that I wyste where were that traytour Syr Mordred 
that hath caused alle thys meschyef." Thenne was kyng 
Arthure ware where Syr Mordred lenyd upon his swerde 
emonge a grete hepe of deed men. " Now gyve me my 5 
spere," sayd Arthur unto Syr Lucan, " for yonder I have 
espyed the traytour that alle thys woo hath wrought." 
" Syr, late hym be," sayd Syr Lucan, " for he is unhappy; 
and yf ye passe thys unhappy day, ye shalle be ryght wel 
revengyd upon hym. Good lord, remembre ye of your 10 
nyghtes dreme, and what the spyryte of Syr Gauwayn 
tolde you this nyght, yet God of his grete goodnes hath 
preserved you hyderto ; therfore for Goddes sake, my 
lord, leve of by thys, for blessyd by God ye have wonne 
the felde; for here we ben thre on lyve, and wyth Syr 15 
Mordred is none on lyve. And yf ye leve of now, thys 
wycked day of desteynye is paste." " Tyde me deth, 
betyde me lyf," sayth the kyng, " now I see hym yonder 
allone, he shal never escape myn handes ; for at a better 
avaylle shal I never have hym." " God spede you wel," 20 
sayd Syr Bedwere. Thenne the kyng gate hys spere in 
bothe his handes, and ranne toward Syr Mordred cryeng, 
" Tratour, now is thy deth day come." And whan Syr 
Mordred herde Syr Arthur he ranne untyl hym with his 
swerde drawen in his hande. And there kyng Arthur 25 
smote Syr Mordred under the shelde wyth a foyne of his 
spere thorughoute the body more than a fadom. And 
whan Syr Mordred felte that he had hys dethes wounde, 
he thryst hym self wyth the myght that he had up to the 
bur of kynge Arthurs spere. And right so he smote his 30 
fader Arthur wyth his swerde holden in bothe his handes, 
on the syde of the heed, that the swerde persyd the 
helmet and the brayne panne, and therwythall Syr 
Mordred fyl starke deed to the erthe. And the nobyl 



222 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

Arthur fyl in a swoune to the erthe, and there he 
swouned ofte tymes. And Syr Lucan de Butlere and 
Syr Bedwere oftymes heve hym up ; and soo waykely 
they ledde hym betwyxte them bothe to a lytel chapel 
5 not ferre from the see syde. And whan the kyng was 
there, he thought hym wel eased. 

Thenne herde they people crye in the felde. " Now 
goo thou, Syr Lucan," sayd the kyng, " and do me to 
wyte what bytokenes that noyse in the felde." So Syr 

10 Lucan departed, for he was grevously wounded in many 
places. And so as he yede, he sawe and herkened by 
the mone lyght, how that pyllars and robbers were comen 
in to the felde to pylle and robbe many a ful noble 
knyghte of brochys and bedys, of many a good rynge, 

15 and of many a ryche jewel ; and who that were not deed 
al oute, there they slewe theym for theyr barneys and 
theyr rychesse. Whan Syr Lucan understode thys werke, 
he came to the kyng assone as he myght, and tolde hym 
al what he had herde and seen. " Therfore, be my rede," 

20 sayd Syr Lucan, " it is beste that we brynge you to 
somme towne." " I wolde it were soo," sayd the kyng. 

Capitulum \>» 

" But I may not stonde, myn hede werches soo. A, 
Syr Launcelot," sayd kyng Arthur, " thys day have I sore 
myst the. Alas ! that ever I was ayenst the, for now 

25 have I my dethe, wherof Syr Gauwayn me warned in my 
dreme." Than Syr Lucan took up the kyng the one 
parte, and Syr Bedwere the other parte, and in the 
lyftyng the kyng sowned, and Syr Lucan fyl in a sowne 
wyth the lyfte, that the parte of his guttes fyl oute of his 

30 bodye. And therwyth the noble knyghtes herte braste. 
And whan the kyng awake, he behelde Syr Lucan how 



Chap. V.] S//s! BED WE RE AND EXCALIBUR. 223 

he laye foomyng at the mowth, and parte of his guttes 
laye at his feet. " Alas ! " sayd the kyng, " thys is to me 
a ful hevy syght to see thys noble duke so deye for my 
sake, for he wold have holpen me that had more nede of 
helpe than I. Alas ! he wold not complayne hym, hys 5 
herte was so sette to helpe me. Now Jhesu have mercy 
upon hys soule." Than Syr Bedwere wepte for the deth 
of his brother. " Leve thys mornyng and wepyng," sayd 
the kyng, " for al this wyl not avaylle me ; for wyte thou 
wel, and I myght lyve my self, the deth of Syr Lucan 10 
wolde greve me ever more, but my tyme hyeth fast," sayd 
the kyng. " Therfore," sayd Arthur unto Syr Bedwere, 
" take thou Excalybur, my good swerde, and goo with it 
to yonder water syde, and whan thou comest there, I 
charge the throwe my swerde in that water, and come 15 
ageyn and telle me what thou there seest." " My lord," 
sa[y]d Bedwere, " your commaundement shal be doon, 
and lyghtly brynge you worde ageyn." 

So Syr Bedwere departed, and by the waye he behelde 
that noble swerde, that the pomel and the hafte was al 20 
of precyous stones ; and thenne he sayd to hym self, " Yf 
I throwe this ryche swerde in the water, therof shal 
never come good, but harme and losse." And thenne 
Syr Bedwere hydde Excalybur under a tree. And so as 
sone as he myght he came ageyn unto the kyng, and 25 
sayd he had ben at the water, and had throwen the 
swerde in to the water. " What sawe thou there ? " sayd 
the kyng. " Syr," he sayd, " I sawe no thynge but wawes 
and wyndes." " That is untrewly sayd of the," sayd the 
kynge. " Therfore goo thou lyghtelye ageyn, and do my 30 
commaundemente ; as thou arte to me leef and dere, 
spare not but throwe it in." Than Syr Bedwere retorned 
ageyn, and took the swerde in hys hande, and than hym 
thought synne and shame to throwe awaye that nobyl 



224 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

swerde ; and so efte he hydde the swerde, and retorned 
ageyn and tolde to the kyng that he had ben at the 
water, and done his commaundemente. " What sawe 
thou there?" sayd the kyng. "Syr," he sayd, "I sawe 
5 no thynge but the waters wappe and wawes wanne." " A, 
traytour, untrewe," sayd kyng Arthur, ''now hast thou 
betrayed me twyse. Who wold have wente that thou 
that hast been to me so leef and dere, and thou arte 
named a noble knyghte, and wold betraye me for the 

10 richesse of the swerde ? But now goo ageyn lyghtly, for 
thy longe taryeng putteth me in grete jeopardye of my 
lyf, for I have taken colde ; and but yf thou do now as I 
byd the, yf ever I may see the I shal slee the [with] myn 
owne handes, for thou woldest for my ryche swerde see 

15 me dede." Thenne Syr Bedwere departed, and wente to 
the swerde, and lyghtly took hit up, and wente to the 
water syde, and there he bounde the gyrdyl aboute the 
hyltes, and thenne he threwe the swerde as farre in to 
the water as he myght. And there cam an arme and an 

20 hande above the water and mette it, and caught it, and 
so shoke it thryse and braundysshed ; and than vanysshed 
awaye the hande wyth the swerde in the water. So Syr 
Bedwere came ageyn to the kyng and tolde hym what 
he sawe. 

25 "Alas!" sayd the kyng, " helpe me hens, for 1 drede 
me I have taryed over longe." Than Syr Bedwere toke 
the kyng upon his backe, and so wente wyth hym to that 
water syde, and whan they were at the water syde, evyn 
fast by the banke hoved a lytyl barge wyth many fayr 

30 ladyes in hit, and emonge hem al was a queue, and al 
they had blacke hoodes, and al they wepte and shryked 
whan they sawe kyng Arthur. " Now put me in to the 
barge," sayd the kyng ; and so he dyd softelye. And 
there receyved hym thre queues wyth grete mornyng, and 



Chap. VI.] THE PASSING OF ARTHUR. 225 

soo they sette hem doun, and in one of their lappes kyng 
Arthur layed hys heed, and than that quene sayd, " A, 
dere broder, why have ye taryed so longe from me ? 
Alas ! this wounde on your heed hath caught overmoche 
colde." And soo than they rowed from the londe, and 5 
Syr Bedwere behelde all tho ladyes goo from hym. Than 
Syr Bedwere cryed, " A, my lord Arthur, what shal 
become of me, now ye goo from me and leve me here 
allone emonge myn enemyes ? " " Comfort thy self," 
sayd the kyng, " and doo as wel as thou mayst, for in me lo 
is no truste for to truste in. For I wyl in to the vale of 
Avylyon, to hele me of my grevous wounde. And yf 
thou here never more of me, praye for my soule." But 
ever the quenes and ladyes wepte and shryched, that hit 
was pyte to here. And assone as Syr Bedwere had loste 15 
the syght of the baarge, he wepte and waylled, and so 
took the foreste ; and so he wente al that nyght, and in 
the mornyng he was ware betwyxte two holtes hore af^ a 
chapel and an ermytage. 

Capttulum vj. 

Than was Syr Bedwere glad, and thyder he wente; 20 
and whan he came in to the chapel, he sawe where laye 
an heremyte grovelyng on al foure, there fast by a tombe 
was newe graven. Whan the eremyte sawe Syr Bedwere, 
he knewe hym wel, for he was but lytel tofore bysshop of 
Caunterburye that Syr Mordred flemed. "Syr," sayd 25 
Syr Bedwere, " what man is there entred that ye praye 
so fast fore ? " " P'ayr sone," sayd the heremyte, '' I wote 
not verayly but by my demyyng.^ But thys nyght, at 
mydnyght, here came a nombre of ladyes and broughte 
hyder a deed cors, and prayed me to berye hym, and 3° 
1 Read of. - Read demyfig. 



226 LE MORTE DARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

here they offeryd an hondred tapers, and they gaf me an 
hondred besauntes." " Alas," sayd Syr Bedwere, '' that 
was my lord kyng Arthur that here lyeth buryed in thys 
chapel." Than Syr Bedwere swowned, and whan he 
5 awoke he prayed the heremyte he myght abyde wyth hym 
stylle there, to lyve wyth fastyng and prayers: " For from 
hens wyl I never goo," sayd Syr Bedwere, '' by my wylle, 
but al the dayes of my lyf here to praye for my lord 
Arthur." "Ye are welcome to me," sayd the heremyte, 

10 ''for I knowe you better than ye wene that I doo. Ye 
are the bolde Bedwere, and the ful noble duke Syr Lucan 
de Butlere was your broder." Thenne Syr Bedwere 
tolde the heremyte alle as ye have herde to fore. So 
there bode Syr Bedwere with the hermyte that was tofore 

15 bysshop of Caunterburye, and there Syr Bedwere put 
upon hym poure clothes, and servyd the hermyte ful 
lowly in fastyng and in prayers. 

Thus of Arthur I fynde never more wryton in boookes ^ 
that ben auctorysed, nor more of the veray certente of 

20 his deth herde I never redde, but thus was he ledde 
aweye in a shyppe wherin were thre quenes : that one 
was kyng Arthurs syster quene Morgan le Fay, the other 
was the quene of North Galys, the thyrd was the quene 
of the Waste Londes. Also there was Nynyve the chyef 

25 Lady of the Lake, that had wedded Pelleas the good 
knyght, and this lady had doon moche for kyng Arthur, 
for she wold never suffre Syr Pelleas to be in noo place 
where he shold be in daunger of his lyf, and so he lyved 
to the uttermest of his dayes wyth hyr in grete reste. 

30 More of the deth of kyng Arthur coude I never fynde, 
but that ladyes brought hym to his buryellys, and suche 
one was buryed there that the hermyte bare wytnesse, 
that somtyme was bysshop of Caunterburye, but yet the 

1 Sic. 



Chap. VIL] THE QUEEN BECOMES A NUN. 



227 



heremyte knewe not in certayn that he was verayly the 
body of kyng Arthur, for thys tale Syr Bedwer, knyght 
of the Table Rounde, made it to be wryton. 

(Tapitulum vij. 

Yet somme men say in many partyes of Englond that 
kyng Arthur is not deed, but had by the wylle of our 5 
Lord Jhesu in to another place; and men say that he 
shal come ageyn, and he shal wynne the holy crosse. I 
wyl not say that it shal be so, but rather I wyl say here 
in thys world he chaunged his lyf. But many men say 
that there is wryton upon his tombe this vers : " Hie 10 
iacet Arthurus Rex quondam Rex que futurus." Thus 
leve I here Syr Bedwere with the hermyte, that dwellyd 
that tyme in a chapel besyde Glastynburye, and there 
was his ermytage, and they lyvyd in theyr prayers and 
fastynges and grete abstynence. And whan quene 15 
Guenever understood that kyng Arthur was slayn, and al 
the noble kny^/ztes, Syr Mordred and al the remenaunte, 
than the quene stale aweye and v ladyes wyth hyr, and 
soo she wente to Almesburye, and there she let make hir 
self a nonne, and ware whyte clothes and blacke, and 20 
grete penaunce she toke as ever dyd synful lady in thys 
londe; and never creature coude make hyr mery, but 
lyved in fastyng, prayers, and almes dedes, that al maner 
of peple mervaylled how vertuously she was chaunged. 
Now leve we quene Guenever in Almesburye, a nonne in 25 
whyte clothes and blacke, and there she was abbesse and 
rular, as reason wolde ; and torne we from hyr, and speke 
we of Syr Launcelot du Lake. 



228 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

Capttulum x)ttj. 

And whan he herde in his contreye that Syr Mordred 
was crowned kyng in Englond, and maad warre ayenst 
kyng Arthur his owne fader, and wolde lette hym to 
lande in hys owne londe ; also it was tolde Syr Launcelot 
5 how that Syr Mordred had layed syege aboute the toure 
of London by cause the queue wold not wedde hym ; 
than was Syr Launcelot wroth oute of mesure, and sayd 
to his kynnesmen, " Alas ! that double traytour Syr 
Mordred, now me repenteth that ever he escaped my 

10 handes, for moche shame hath he done unto my lord 
Arthur : for alle I fele by the doleful letter that my lord 
Syr Gauwayn sente me, on whos soule ]hes\x have mercy, 
that my lord Arthur is ful harde bestadde. Alas ! " sayd 
Syr Launcelot, " that ever I shold lyve to here that moost 

15 noble kyng that maad me knyght thus to be oversette 
wyth his subjecte in his owne royame. And this doleful 
letter that my lord Syr Gauwayn hath sente me afore his 
deth, prayeng me to see his tombe, wyt you wel his dole- 
ful wordes shal never goo from myn herte. For he was 

20 a ful noble knyght as ever was borne, and in an unhappy 
houre was I borne, that ever I shold have that unhappe 
to slee fyrst Syr Gauwayn, Syr Gaheris the good knyght, 
and myn owne frende Syr Gareth, that ful noble knyght. 
Alas ! I may say I am unhappy," sayd Syr Launcelot, 

25 " that ever I shold do thus unhappely. And alas ! yet 
myght I never have happe to slee that traytour Syr 
Mordred." " Leve your complayntes," sayd Syr Bors, 
" and fyrst revenge you of the deth of Syr Gauwayn, and 
hit wyl be wel done that ye see Syr Gauwayns tombe ; 

30 and, secondly, that ye revenge my lord Arthur and my 
lady queue Guenever." " I thanke you," sayd Syr 
Launcelot, " for ever ye wyl my worshyp." 



Chap. VIII.] LAUNCELOT RETURNS TO ENGLAND. 229 

Than they made them redy in al the haste that my^/^t 
be, with shyppes and galeyes, wyth Syr Launcelot and 
his hoost to passe in to Englond. And so he passyd 
over the see tyl he came to Dover, and there he landed 
wyth seven kynges, and the nombre was hydous to 5 
beholde. Than Syr Launcelot spyrred of men of Dover 
where was kyng Arthur become. Than the peple tolde 
hym how that he was slayn ; and Syr Mordred and an C 
thousand deyed on a day, and how Sir Mordred gaf kyng 
Arthur there the fyrste bataylle at his landyng, and there 10 
was good Syr Gawayn slayn, and on the morne Syr 
Mordred faught with the kyng upon Baram Doun, and 
there the kyng put Syr Mordred to the wers. " Alas," 
said Syr Launcelot, " this is the hevyest tydynges that 
ever cam to me. Now, fayr syrs," sayd Syr Launcelot, 15 
"shewe me the tombe of Syr Gawayn." And than 
certeyn peple of the towne hxoMghl hym in to the castel 
of Dover, and shewed hym the tombe. Than Syr 
Launcelot knelyd doun and wepte, and prayeed hertelye 
for his soule. And that nyght he made a dole, and al 20 
they that wold come had as moche flesshe, fysshe, wyn, 
and aale, and every man and woman had xij pens, come 
who wold. Thus with his owne hande dalte he this 
money in a moornyng gowne, and ever he wepte, and 
prayed hem to praye for the sowle of Syr Gawayn. And 25 
an the morne al the preestys and clerkys that myght be 
goten in the contreye were there, and sange masse of 
requyem. And there oiferyd fyrst Syr Launcelot, and he 
offred an C pounde, and than the seven kynges offeryd 
fourty pounde a pees, and also there was a M knyghtes, 30 
and eche of hem offred a pounde, and the offeryng dured 
fro morne tyl nyght. And Syr Launcelot laye two 
nyghtes on his tombe in prayers and wepyng. Than on 
the thyrd day Syr Launcelot callyd the kynges, dukes, 



230 LE NORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

erles, barons, and knyghtes, and sayd thus : " My fayr 
lordes, I tha^/ke you al of your comyng in to this contreye 
with me, but we came to late, and that shal repente me 
whyle I lyve, but ayenst deth may no man rebelle. But 
5 sythen it is so," said Sir Launcelot, '' I wyl my self ryde 
and seke my lady quene Guenever ; for as I here say, she 
hath had grete payne and moche dysease, and I herd say 
that she is fledde in to the weste ; therfore ye alle shal 
abyde me here, and but yf I come ageyn wythin xv dayes, 
10 than take your shyppes and your felawshyp, and departe 
in to your contraye, for I wyl do as I say to you." 

Capttulum \i. 

Than came Syr Bors de Ganys and sayd, " My lord 
Syr Launcelot, what thynke ye for to doo, now to ryde 
in this royame ? wyt you wel, ye shal fynde fewe frendes." 

15 "Be as be may," sayd Syr Launcelot, " kepe you stylle 
here, for I wyl forth on my journey ; and noo man nor 
chylde shall goo with me." So it was no bote to stryve, 
but he departed and rode westerly, and there he sought 
a vij or viij dayes, and atte last he cam to a nonnerye, 

20 and than was quene Guenever ware of Sir Launcelot as 
he walked in the cloystre, and whan she sawe hym there, 
she swouned thryse, that al the ladyes and jentyl 
wymmen had werke ynough to holde the quene up. So 
whan she my^//t speke she callyd ladyes and jentyl 

25 wymmen to hir and sayd, " Ye mervayl, fayr ladyes, why 
1 make this fare. Truly," she said, "it is for the syght 
of yonder knyght that yender standeth. Wherfore I 
praye you al calle hym to me." Whan Syr Launcelot 
was brought to hyr, than she sayd to al the ladyes, 

30 " Thorowe this man and me hath al this warre be 
wrought, and the deth of the moost noblest knyghtes 



Chap. IX.] LAUNCELOT VISITS THE QUEEN. 231 

of the world, for thorugh our love that we have loved 
to gyder is my moost noble lord slayn. Therfor, Syr 
Laiincelot, wyt thou wel I am sette in suche a plyte to 
gete my soule hele, and yet I truste thorugh Goddes 
grace that after my deth to have a syght of the blessyd 5 
face of Cryst, and at domes day to sytte on his ryght 
syde, for as synful as ever I was are sayntes in heven. 
Therfore, Syr Launcelot, I requyre the and beseche the 
hertelye for al the love that ever was betwyxte us, that 
thou never see me more in the vysage ; and I comande ro 
the on Goddes behalfe, that thou forsake my companye, 
and to thy kyngdom thou torne ageyn, and kepe wel thy 
royame from warre and wrake ; for as wel as I have loved 
the, myn hert wyl not serve me to see the ; for thorugh 
the and me is the flour of kynges and knyghtes destroyed. 15 
Therfor, Sir Launcelot, goo to thy royame and there take 
the a wyf, and lyve with hir with joye and blysse, and I 
praye the hertelye, praye for me to our Lord that I may 
amende my myslyvyng." " Now, swete madam," sayd 
Syr Launcelot, " wold ye that I shold torne ageyn unto 20 
my cuntreye, and there to wedde a lady ? Nay, madam, 
wyt you wel that shal I never do, for I shal never be soo 
fals to you of that I have promysed, but the same 
deystenye that ye have taken you to, I wyl take me unto, 
for to plese Jhesu, and ever for you I cast me specially 25 
to praye." " Yf thou wylt do so," sayd the quene, 
" holde thy promyse, but I may never byleve but that 
thou wylt torne to the world ageyn." "Wel, madam," 
sayd he, " ye say as pleseth you, yet wyst you me never 
fals of my promesse, and God defende but I shold for- 30 
sake the world as ye have do ; for in the quest of the 
Sank Greal I had fo[r]saken the vanytees of the world, 
had not your lord ben. And yf I had done so at that 
tyme wyth my herte, wylle, and thought, I had passed al 



232 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

the knyghtes that were in the Sanke Greal, excepte Syr 
Galahad my sone, and therfore, lady, sythen ye have 
taken you to perfeccion, I must nedys take me to per- 
fection of ryght. For I take recorde of God in you I 
5 have had myn erthly joye, and yf I had founden you now 
so dysposed, 1 had caste me to have had you in to myn 
owne royame." 

Capttulum J. 

" But sythen I fynde you thus desposed, I ensure you 
faythfully I wyl ever take me to penaunce, and praye 

lo whyle my lyf lasteth, yf that I may fynde ony heremyte 
other graye or whyte that wyl receyve me. Wherfore, 
madame, I praye you kysse me and never nomore." 
''Nay," sayd the quene, "that shal I never do, but 
absteyne you from suche werkes." And they departed, 

15 but there w^as never so harde an herted man but he wold 
have wepte to see the dolour that they made, for there 
was laementacyon as they had be stungyn wyth sperys, 
and many tymes they swouned ; and the ladyes bare the 
quene to hir chambre. And Syr Launcelot awok, and 

20 went and took his hors, and rode al that day and al ny^/^t 
in a forest, wepyng. And atte last he was ware of an 
ermytage and a chappel stode betwyxte two clyffes, and 
than he herde a lytel belle rynge to masse, and thyder he 
rode and alyght, and teyed his hors to the gate, and herd 

25 masse. And he that sange masse was the bysshop of 
Caunterburye. Bothe the bysshop and Sir Bedwer knewe 
Syr Launcelot, and they spake to gyders after masse, but 
whan Syr Bedwere had tolde his tale al hole, Syr Launce- 
lottes hert almost braste for sorowe, and Sir Launcelot 

30 threwe hys armes abrode, and sayd, " Alas ! who may 
truste thys world ? " And than he knelyd doun on his 



Chap. X.] LAUNCELdT BECOMES A HOLY MAN. 233 

knee, and prayed the bysshop to shryve hym and assoyle 
hym ; and than he besought the bysshop that he myght 
be hys brother. Than the bysshop sayd, " 1 wyll gladly," 
and there he put an habyte upon Syr Launcelot, and 
there he servyd God day and xvyghX. with prayers and 5 
fastynges. 

Thus the grete hoost abode at Dover, and than Sir 
Lyonel toke fyftene lordes with hym, and rode to London 
to seke Sir Launcelot; and there Syr Lyonel was slayn, 
and many of his lordes. Thenne Syr Bors de Ganys 10 
made the grete hoost for to goo hoome ageyn. And Syr 
Boors, Syr Ector de Maris, Syr Blamour, Syr Bleoboris, 
with moo other of Syr Launcelottes kynne, toke on hem 
to ryde al Englond overthwart and endelonge to seek Syr 
Launcelot. So Syr Bors by fortune rode so longe tyl he 1 5 
came to the same chapel where Syr Launcelot was, and 
so Syr Bors herde a lytel belle knylle that range to masse, 
and there he alyght and herde masse. And whan masse 
was doon the bysshop, Syr Launcelot, and Sir Bedwere 
came to Syr Bors, and whan Syr Bors sawe Sir Launcelot 20 
in that maner clothyng, than he preyed the bysshop that 
he myght be in the same sewte. And so there was an 
habyte put upon hym, and there he lyved in prayers and 
fastyng. And wythin halfe a yere there was come Syr 
Galyhud, Syr Galyhodyn, Sir Blamour, Syr Bleoheris, Syr 25 
Wyllyars, Syr Clarras, and Sir Gohaleanjyne. So al 
these vij noble kny.g'/ztes there abode styll, and whan they 
sawe Syr Launcelot had taken hym to suche perfeccion, 
they had no last to departe, but toke suche an habyte as 
he had. Thus they endured in grete penaunce syx yere, 30 
and than Syr Launcelot took thabyte of preesthod of the 
bysshop, and a twelve monthe he sange masse, and there 
was none of these other knyghtes but they redde in 
bookes, and holpe for to synge masse, and range bellys, 



234 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

and dyd bodoly al maner of servyce. And soo their 
horses wente where they wolde, for they toke no regarde 
of no worldly rychesses, for whan they sawe Syr Launce- 
lot endure suche penaunce in prayers and fastynges, they 
5 toke no force what payne they endured for to see the 
nobleste knyght of the world take suche abstynaunce 
that he waxed ful lene. And thus upon a nyght there 
came a vysyon to Syr Launcelot, and charged hym in 
remyssyon of his synnes to haste hym unto Almysbury, 

10 " And by thenne then^ come there, thou shall fynde quene 
Guenever dede. And therfore take thy felowes with the, 
and parcuey them of an hors bere, and fetche thou the 
cors of hir, and burye hir by her husbond, the noble 
kyng Arthur." So this avysyon came to Launcelot 

15 thryse in one nyght. 

Capttulum i\. 

Than Syr Launcelot rose up oe^ day and tolde the 
heremyte. " It were wel done," sayd the heremyte, 
" that ye made you redy, and that ye dyshobeye not the 
avysyon." Than Syr Launcelot toke his vij felowes with 

20 hym, and on fore they yede from Glastynburye to Almys- 
burye, the whyche is lytel more than xxx myle, and 
thyder they came within two dayes, for they were wayke 
and feble to goo. And whan Syr Launcelot was come to 
Almysburye within the nunerye, quene Guenever deyed 

25 but halfe an oure afore. And the ladyes tolde Syr 
Launcelot that quene Guenever tolde hem al, or she 
passyd, that Syr Launcelot had ben preest nere a twelve 
monthe. " And hyder he cometh as faste as he may to 
fetche my cors : and besyde my lord kyng Arthur he shal 

30 berye me." Wherfore the quene sayd in heryng of hem 

1 Read thou, 2 Read or. 



Chap. XL] DEATH OF THE QUEEN. 235 

al, " I beseche Almyghty God that 1 may never have 
power to see Syr Laimcelot wyth my worldly eyen." 
"And thus," said al the ladyes, "was ever hir prayer 
these two dayes, tyl she was dede." Than Syr Launcelot 
sawe hir vysage, bat^ he wepte not gretelye but syghed, 5 
and so he dyd al the observaunce of the servyce hym 
self, bothe the Dyryge, and on the morne he sange masse. 
And there was ordeyned an hors here ; and so wyth an 
hondred torches ever brennyng aboute the cors of the 
quene, and ever Syr Launcelot with his viij felowes wente 10 
aboute the hors bere, syngyng and redyng many an holy 
oryson, and frankensens upon the corps encensed. 

Thus Syr Launcelot and his eyght felowes wente on 
foot from Almysburye unto Glastynburye, and whan they 
were come to the chapel and the hermytage, there she 15 
had a Dyryge wyth grete devocyon, and on the morne 
the heremyte that somtyme was bysshop of Canterburye 
sa;/ge the masse of requyem wyth grete devocyon ; and 
Syr Launcelot was the fyrst that offeryd, and than als his 
eyght felowes. And than she was wrapped in cered 20 
clothe of Raynes, from the toppe to the too, in xxx folde, 
and after she was put in a webbe of leed, and than in a 
coffyn of marbyl. And whan she was put in therth, Syr 
Launcelot swouned, and laye longe stylle, whyle the 
hermyte came and awaked hym, and sayd, " Ye be to 25 
blame, for ye dysplese God with suche maner of sorow 
makyng." "Truly," sayd Syr Launcelot, "I trust I do 
not dysplese God, for he knoweth myn entente ; for my 
sorow was not nor is not for ony rejoysyng of synne, but 
my sorow may never have ende. For whan I remembre 30 
of hir beaulte and of hir noblesse, that was bothe wyth 
hyr kyng and wyth hyr, so whan I sawe his corps and hir 
corps so lye togyders, truly myn herte wold not serve to 

1 Read but. 



236 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

susteyne my careful body. Also whan I remewbre me, 
how by my defaute and myn orgule and my pryde, that 
they were bothe layed ful lowe, that were pereles that 
ever was lyvyng of Cristen people, wyt you wel," sayd 
5 Syr Launcelot, " this remembred, of there kyndenes 
and myn unkyndenes, sanke so to myn herte that I 
my^/^t not susteyne my self." So the Frensshe book 
maketh mencyon. 

Capitulum lii. 

THENi\rE Syr Launcelot never after ete but lytel mete, 

ro nor dranke, tyl he was dede, for than he seekened more 
and more, and dryed and dwyned awaye ; for the bysshop 
nor none of his felowes my^//t not make hym to ete, and 
lytel he dranke, that he was waxen by a kybbet shorter 
than he was, that the peple coude not knowe hym ; for 

15 evermore day and ny^/zt he prayed, but somtyme he 
slombred a broken slepe. Ever he was lyeng grovelyng 
on the tombe of kyng Arthur and quene Guenever, and 
there was no comforte that the bysshop nor Syr Bors nor 
none of his felowes coude make hym, it avaylled not. 

20 Soo wythin syx wekye after, Syr Launcelot fyl seek, and 
laye in his bedde ; and thenne he sente for the bysshop 
that there was heremyte and al his trewe felowes. Than 
Syr Launcelot sayd wyth drery Steven, " Syr bysshop, I 
praye you gyve to me al my ryghtes that longeth to a 

25 Chrysten man." " It shal not nede you," sayd the' here- 
myte and al his felowes. " It is but hevynesse of your 
blood. Ye shal be wel mended, by the grace of God, to 
morne." " My fayr lordes," sayd Syr Launcelot, "wyt 
you wel my careful body wyl in to therthe ; I hove warn- 

30 yng more than now I wyl say, therfore gyve me my 
ryghtes." So whan he was howselyd and enelyd, and 



Chap. XII.] DEATH OF LAUNCELOT. 237 

had al that a Crysten man ought to have, he prayed the 
bysshop that his felowes myght here his body to Joyous 
Garde. Somme men say it was Anwyk, and somme may 
say it was Hamborow. " How be it," sayd Syr Launce- 
lot, " me repenteth sore, but I made myn avowe somtyme 5 
that in Joyous Garde I wold be buryed, and by cause of 
brekyng of myn avowe I praye you al lede me thyder." 

Than there was wepyng and wryngyng of handes 
among his felowes. So at a seson of the nyght they al 
wente to theyr beddes, for they alle laye in one chambre. 10 
And so after mydnyght, ayenst day, the bysshop then 
was hermyte, as he laye in his bedd a slepe, he fyl upon 
a grete laughter, and therwyth al the felyshyp awoke and 
came to the bysshop, and asked hym what he eyled. " A, 
Jh<?^u, mercy," sayd the bysshop, ''why dyd ye awake 15 
me ? I was never in al my lyf so mery and so wel at 
ease." "Wherfore?" sayd Syr Bors. "Truly," sayd 
the bysshop, " here was Syr Launcelot with me with mo 
angellis than ever I sawe men in one day ; and I sawe 
the angellys heve up Syr Launcelot unto heven, and the 20 
yates of heven opened ayenst hym." " It is but dretch- 
yng of swevens," sayd Syr Bors, ''for I doubte not Syr 
Launcelot ayleth no thynge but good." " It may wel 
be," sayd the bysshop, "goo ye to his bedde, and than 
shall ye prove the soth." So whan Syr Bors and his 25 
felowes came to his bedde; they founde hym starke dede ; 
and he laye as he had smyled, and the swettest savour 
aboute hym that ever they felte. 

Than was there wepyng and wryngyng of handes, and 
the.grettest dole they made that ever made men. And 30 
on the morne the bysshop dyd his masse of Requyem, 
and after the bysshop and al the ix knyghtes put Syr 
Launcelot in the same hors bere that queue Guenevere 
was layed in tofore that she was buryed. And soo the 



238 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. [Book XXI. 

bysshop and they al togydere wente wyth the body of Syr 
Launcelot dayly tyl they came to Joyous Garde, and ever 
they had an C torches bernnyng aboute hym. And so 
within XV dayes they came to Joyous Garde. And there 

5 they layed his corps in the body of the quere, and sange 
and redde many saulters and prayes over hym and aboute 
hym, and ever his vysage was layed open and naked that 
al folkes myght beholde hym, for suche was the custom 
in tho dayes, that al men of worshyp shold so lye wyth 

lo open vysage tyl that they were buryed. And ryght thus 
as they were at theyr servyce, there came Syr Ector de 
Maris, that had vij yere sought al Englond, Scotland, and 
Walys, sekyng his brother Syr Launcelot. 

Capttulum jfit 

And whan Syr Ector herde suche noyse and lyghte in 

15 the quyre of Joyous Garde, he alyght and put his hors 
from hym, and came in to the quyre, and there he sawe 
men synge [and] wepe. And al they knewe Syr Ector, 
but he knewe not them. Than wente Syr Bors unto Syr 
Ector, and tolde hym how there laye his brother Syr 

20 Launcelot dede. And than Syr Ector threwe hys shelde, 
swerde, and helme from hym. And whan he behelde Syr 
Launcelottes vysage, he fyl doun in a swoun. And whan 
he waked, it were harde ony tonge to telle the doleful 
complayntes that he made for his brother. " A, Launce- 

25 lot," he sayd, "thou were hede of al Crysten knyghtes. 
And now I dare say," sayd Syr Ector, " thou Sir Launce- 
lot, there thou lyest, that thou were never matched of 
erthely knyghtes hande, and thou were the curtest knyght 
that ever bare shelde, and thou were the truest frende to 

30 thy lovar that ever bestrade hors, and thou were the 
trewest lover of a synfu] man that ever loved woman, and 



Chap. XIII.] THE MOURNING FOR LAUNCELOT. 239 

thou were the kyndest man that ever strake wyth swerde, 
and thou were the godelyest persone that ever cam 
emonge prees of knyghtes, and thou was the mekest man 
and the jentyllest that ever ete in halle emonge ladyes, 
and thou were the sternest knyght to thy mortal foo that 5 
ever put spere in the breste." 

Than there was wepyng and dolour out of mesure. 
Thus they kepte Syr Launcelots corps on lofte xv dayes, 
and than they buryed it with grete devocyon. And than 
at leyser they wente al with the bysshop of Canterburye 10 
to his ermytage, and there they were to gyder more than 
a monthe. Than Syr Costantyn, that was Syr Cadores 
sone of Cornwayl, was chosen kyng of Englond, and he 
was a ful noble knyght, and worshypfully he rulyd this 
royame. And than thys kyng Costantyn sent for the 15 
bysshop of Caunterburye, for he herde saye where he 
was, and so he was restored unto his bysshopryche, and 
lefte that ermytage. And Syr Bedwere was there ever 
stylle heremyte to his lyves ende. Than Syr Bors de 
Ganys, Syr Ector de Maris, Syr Gahalantyne, Syr Galy- 20 
hud. Sir Galyhodyn, Syr Blamour, Syr Bleoberys, Syr 
Wyllyats de Balyaunt, Syr Clartus of Clere Mounte, al 
these -kny^/ztes drewe them to theyr contreyes. How be 
it, kyng Costantyn wold have had them wyth hym, but 
they wold not abyde in this royame. And there they al 25 
lyved in their cuntreys as holy men. And somme 
Englysshe bookes maken mencyon that they wente never 
oute of Englond after the deth of Syr Launcelot, but that 
was but favour of makers ; for the Frensshe book maketh 
mencyon and is auctorysed that Syr Bors, Syr Ector, Syr 30 
Blamour, and Syr Bleoberis, wente in to the Holy Lande, 
there as Jhesu Cryst was quycke and deed, and anone as 
they had stablysshed theyr londes ; for the book saith so 
Syr Launcelot commaunded them for to do or ever he 



240 LE MORTE D ARTHUR. 

passyd oute of thys world. And these foure knyghtes 
dyd many bataylles upon the myscreantes or Turkes, and 
there they ded upon a good Fryday for Goddes sake. 
Here is the end of the booke^ of kyng Arthur and of 
5 his noble knyghtes of the Rounde Table, that whan they 
were hole togyders there was ever an C and xl. And 
here is the ende of the deth of Arthur. I praye you, all 
jentyl men and jentyl wymmen that redeth this book of 
Arthur and his knyghtes from the begynnyng to the 

10 endyng, praye for me whyle I am on lyve that God sende 
me good delyveraunce, and whan I am deed, I praye you 
all praye for my soule ; for this book was ended the ix yere 
of the reygne of kyng Edward the Fourth by Syr Thomas 
Maleore, knyght, as Jhesu helpe hym for hys grete myght, 

15 as he is the servaunt of Jhesu bothe day and nyght. 

XTbus euDetb tbi^s noble an& Sopous \iOO\ 
entptleD le morte Dartbur/IRotw^tbstonb* 
png It treatetb ot tbe bprtb/l^f/ant) actes 
ot tbe sa^t) F?png Hrtbur / ot bis noble 
l^npgbtes ot tbe rounde table /tbepr mers= 
va^llons enqnestes anC) adventures /tbacb= 
pev^no ot tbe sanGreal/<R in tbenDe tbe 
dolorous t)etb ^ bepartpng out ot tbps worlD 
ot tbem al/wbtcbe bool^ was reC)uceb m to 
englpssbe b^ spr Ubomas /ll>alor^ l^n^Gbt 
as atore is sa^D/an^ bp me ^ev^^eD \\\ to 
ll\ booftes, cbap^tret) an^ enpr^nteD / an^ 
tpni^ssbet) in tbabbe^ westmestre tbe last 
ba^ ot Jupl tbe pere ot our lorb / /n> / 
CCCC / \IIV0. 

(Tajton me tieri tecit. 

1 Repeated in form book. 



BOOKS REFERRED TO IN NOTES. 



Baldwin . . . The Inflections and Syntax of the Morte d'Ar- 
thur of Sir Thomas Malory. A Study in Fifteenth Century 
English by Charles Sears Baldwin. Boston, 1894. Cited 
by section. 

Child, Ballads . . . The English and Scottish Popular Ballads. 
Edited by Francis James Child. Parts i-ix. Boston, New 
York, and Lond., 1883-94. 

E. E. T. S. . . . Early English Text Society. 

HuTH Aferlin . . . Merlin : Roman en prose du xiije si^cle, 
public avec la mise en prose du po^me de Merlin de Robert 
de Boron d'apres le manuscrit appartenant k M. Alfred H. 
Huth, par Gaston Paris et Jacob Ulrich. 2 vols Paris 
1886. 

Jacobs, List of Folk-Tale Incidents ... In Report of The In- 
ternational Folk-Lore Congress, 1891. Papers and Trans., 
edited by Joseph Jacobs and Alfred Nutt, 1892. 

Kellner, Bla7ic/i. and Egl. . . . Caxton's Blanchardyn and 
Eglantyne, edited by Leon Kellner, E. E. T. S. (Extra Series 
58), 1890. Cited by page. 

Kellner, Eng. Syntax . . . Historical Outlines of English 
Syntax by Leon Kellner. Lond. and New \'ork, 1892. Cited 
by section. 

N. E. D. . . . A New English Dictionary on Historical Prin- 
ciples. Murray and Bradley. New York (Oxford), 1884 
seq. 

NuTT, Studies . . . Studies on the Legend of the Holy Grail, 
with especial Reference to the Hypotl^esis of its Celtic Origin,' 
' by Alfred Nutt. Lond., 1868. 



242 BOOKS REFERRED TO IN NOTES. 

Prose Merlin . . . Merlin ; or the Early History of King 

Arthur: a Prose Romance (about 1450-60), edited by 

Henry B. Wheatley. Lond., 1865-69 (E. E. T. S.)- 
Rh^'^s, Sttidies . . . Studies in the Arthurian Legend by John 

Rhys. Oxford, 1891. 
SCHULTZ, Das hofische Leben . . . Das hofische Leben zur 

Zeit der Minnesinger von Dr. Alwin Schultz. Zweite AuH. 

2 vols., Leipzig, 1889. 
SOMMER ... Le Morte Darthur by Syr Thomas Malory . , . 

edited by H. Oskar Sommer. Lond. Vol. i, Text, 1889; 

vol. ii, Introduction, 1890 ; vol. iii. Studies on the Sources, 

1891. 



NOTES 



BOOK I. 

Source. 

In the third volume of his edition of Le Morte Darthur^ Som- 
mer has made a minute comparison of Malory's text with the 
sources as far as they are accessible. Of the results of his inves- 
tigations I have space for nothing more than a brief summary. 

Book I is based upon the French prose romance of Merlitt^ 
which has been preserved in a variety of forms. The original 
short romance extended only to the coronation of Arthur, and was 
based by some unknown prose writer upon a poem by Robert de 
Borron, who flourished at the end of the 12th century. To this 
romance were appended various anonymous continuations which 
we have in single manuscripts. These vary widely from the con- 
tinuation most commonly found, which, by the way, appears in the 
English Merlin mentioned in the footnote. 

For the details of Sommer's comparison, see iii, 14-70. 
Wechssler differs here and there from Sommer on some matters. 
Cf. Ueber die verschiedenen Redactionen des Robert von Borron 
ztigeschriebenen Graal-Lancelot-Cyclus^ Halle a. S., 1895, pp. 
22-25. Malory very greatly shortened his original and introduced 
slight additions of his own. 

1 1 may be allowed to refer for details concerning the romance of Merlin to 
my forthcoming introduction to the 15th-century English prose Merlin (ed. 
Wheatley). My sketch is now printing for the Early English Text Society. 

Sommer has printed the French Merlin from MS. Add. 10292 (British Mu- 
seum), under the title, Le Roinan de Merlin, London, 1894. There are numerous 
other MSS., a list of which is given in my discussion of the Merlin. 



244 NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. I. 

The various versions of the Merlin legend in Middle English 
literature should be consulted. The most important of these are : 
(i) The Romance of Merlin^ 3 vols., E. E. T. S., ed. Wheatley ; 
(2) A rthour and Merlin^ averse romance of the 14th century, 
ed. Kolbing, Altenglische Bibliothek, vol. iv ; (3) the 15th-cen- 
tury versified romance of Merlin by Herry Lonelich, Skinner, 
announced by the Early English Text Society as in preparation. ^ 
This translation is based upon a French MS. differing some- 
what from that which served as the basis for the Merlin edited 
by Wheatley, but in general presenting the same story. 

1 1. to precede forth. In the portion of the Preface omitted from 
these selections, Caxton explains why he has printed Le Morte Darthiir^ 
and gives his reasons for believing that Arthur had actually existed. 

1 6. themte callyd Brytaygne. The name Great Britain, " originally 
applied to the whole island of Britain to distinguish it from Britannia 
Minor, or Britanny, and often used in poetry or exalted prose," was 
never used "for official purposes until after the accession of James I. 
... In 1604 James definitely styled himself King of Great Britain on 
his coins." Low and Pulling, Diet, of Eng. Hist., p. 515. 

1 7. symple /<?rj-^«<? = humble person, not of high birth. Those 
who belonged to the yeomanry were called simple in contrast with the 
nobles and gentles (gentry). 

2 5. Cote male taylle. To king Arthur's court came a young man in 
an ill-fitting garment of cloth of gold. He gave his name as Breunor 
le Noire, but Kay said : " In mockage ye shalle be called la Cote male 
tayle, that is as moche to saye, the evil shapen cote." Morte Darthur, 
Bk. ix, ch. i. 

4 10. Garlyon. Caxton's misprint for Carlyon. Cf. 34 11. 

5 19. two the best knyghtes. For this construction, see Kellner, 
Eng. Syntax, §§ 174-176. 

12 26. came^'\\Q. came. The omission of a pronominal subject is 
common. Cf. Baldwin, 82 ; Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., pp. xxxii, xxxiii. 

15 ]. Uther-pendragon. Pendragon means dragon's head, as is 
explained in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Hist. Begum Britannice, viii, 17. 
On Uther's history, cf. Geoffrey of Monmouth, viii, 11-24, and espe- 
cially the prose Merlin, pp. 41-95 (E. E. T. S.). In Rhys's Studies in 
the Arthurian Legend (Index) will be found important remarks on the 
Celtic relations of Uther-pendragon. According to Zimmer, Nennius 

1 Kolbing has published the first 1638 lines in his ed. of Arthour and Merlin, 



Bk. I, Cap. I.] NOTES. 14,h 

Vindicatus, p. 286, note, pendragon is to be interpreted as head of the 
dragons^ i.e., of the dragon standards used in war; in other words, 
Uther dux bellorum. 

15 3. duke of Tyntagil. Geoffrey of Monmouth, viii, 19, calls him 
Gorlois. 

15 5. send. For the form, cf. Baldwin, 166. 

15 6. to brynge his wyf. The whole story is told somewhat differ- 
ently, and with far more detail, in the prose Merlin, ch. iv. 

15 7. a fair lady, and a passynge wyse. On the position of the 
adjectives, cf. Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., pp. cv, cvi. 

15 9. corny n. " For -en of the preterit participle -yn appears as a 
rare variant." Baldwin, 188. 

15 17. that we departe. For the subjunctive, cf. Baldwin, 232, i (c). 

15 20. /i/j'c7 = just as. Qi. N. E. D.,s,.v. 

15 26. The abrupt change from indirect to direct speech is exceed- 
ingly common in Malory and other writers of the Middle English 
period. Cf. 39 14, 58 26, etc. The Icelandic sagas abound in the 
same construction. Cf. also Libeaus Desconus, 11. 955, 2167. In 
Kellner's Blanch. a7td Egl., pp. xcviii-c, is an excellent discussion of 
this matter, with numerous examples. 

16 2. come at hym. For the peculiar use of at, see Baldwin, 324, 2. 
16 4. badde hym be redy. This warning is worth noting as being 

characteristic of the mediaeval conception of chivalric warfare. 

16 6. wold fetche hym ante of the byggest castell that he hath. Cf. a 
similar expression, Morte Darthur, xx, 10 (p. 814 20, Sommer). "The 
loose sequence ... is due to the Confusion between direct and indirect 
discourse." Baldwin, 263. Cf. also KeUnev, Blanch, ajid Egl., p. \ix. 

16 9. castels of his. For similar genitives, cf. 17 26, 19 28, and 
Kellner's comments, Blanch, and Egl., p. xxii ; Baldwin, 17. 

16 9. hyght. Cf. Baldwin, 315. 

16 9. For Tyntagil, see Baedeker's Great Britain (1887), pp. 146, 147. 
Cf. also the striking description in Swinburne's Tristram of Lyonesse, 

"> 33-57- 

16 10. Terrabyl. This castle is identified in Notes and Queries, 
series vii, vol. xii, pp. 41, 412, with Launceston Castle in Cornwall. 

16 18. seke. Illness due to love is a common motive in the romances. 
A notable instance appears in the illness of Belisant in A?nis and 
Ajniloun, 11. 485 seq. ; Guy of Warwick was ill a fortnight because 
Felice was scornful. G. of W., version i, 11. 205 seq. Cf . also William 
of Palerne, 11. 890 seq., Arcite in Chaucer's Knightes Tale, 11. 500 
seq., etc. 



246 NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. II. 

17 5. more than a paas^' f^^ter than a walk. 

17 10. pavelions dore. For the genitive, see Baldwin, i8. 

17 19. it shall be delyverd to me. Cf. the detailed account in the 
prose Merlin^ p. 75. The promise of a child as a payment for some 
service is a not uncommon motive in folk-tales. Cf. Rumpelstilzcheti in 
Grimm's Hausmd7-chen^ No. 55, and Jacobs's List of Incidents; also 
Indian Fairy Tales (ed. Jacobs), " The Prince and the Fakir," p. 180. 

17 25. The parts are assigned differently in the prose Merlin^ p. 76, 
and in Geoffrey's Ilistoria, viii, 19. 

17 26. knyghte of the dukes. Cf. 16 9. 

17 28. wayte ye make not. For the subjunctive, see Baldwin, 
232, I (e). 

18 3. for to have distressid. For the tense, see Baldwin, 260. 
18 9. oti day. Cf. Baldwin, 340. 

18 23. it were grete joye . . . and hit myghte please the kynge. For 
the subjunctive, see Baldwin, 21 [. The use of and in the sense of z/"is 
very common in the Morte Darthnr. 

18 29. For all these names, up to the end of the chapter, see Rhys's 
Studies (Index). He devotes an entire chapter to " Urien and his Con- 
geners." Cf. also Nutt's Studies. 

18 33. Morgan le Fey. In the prose Merlin., p. 508, we are told why 
she was called le luy. Merlin is there said to have been her teacher. 
In the Zeitschrift filr franz. Sprache nnd Lit., xii, 239, Zimmer points 
out that before Geoffrey of Monmouth the figure of Morgan le Fey was 
unknown to Welsh literature. 

19 2. nygromancye. Cf. note, too long to quote, in Skeat's Piers 
Plowman (E. E. T. S.), vol. iv, sec. i, p. 246. See also his note to 
Chaucer's C T, Works, v, 314, and a note by Ward to Marlowe's Dr. 
Faustns, p. 125. As necromancy had been under the ban of the church 
since the time of Constantine, one would hardly expect Morgan le Fey 
to be initiated into the black art in a nunnery. 

19 3. Syre Ewayns le Blaiuiche Maynys fader. Variously known 
in the Morte Darthicr as Uwayne, Ewayne, le fyse de roy Uryence, le 
or la blaunche maynys, les avoultres, les avoutres, etc. Ewein les 
Avoutres is frequently referred to in the prose Merlin. lie is there 
described (p. 238) as the son of king Urien and the wife of his steward 
Cleodalis. The king's legitimate son also bears the name Ewein. The 
Merlin further distinguishes (p. 294) " Ewein white honde " from the 
other two Eweins. 

19 7. he asked hir. See the same story with some variations in 
the prose Merlin, pp. 86, 87. 



Bk. I, Cap. III.] NOTES. 247 

19 30. Sir Ector. In the prose Merlin, pp. 91 seq., he is called 
Antor. Tennyson prefers another form : 

Wherefore Merlin took the child, 
And gave him to Sir Anton, an old knight 
And ancient friend of Uther, and his wife 
Nursed the young prince, and reared him with her own. 

The Coming of Arthur^ 11. 179-182. 

20 3. put his owne child to nourisshynge to another woman. The 
prose Merlin (p. 135) remarks upon Kay's evil speech and attributes it 
to his being put out to be nursed by a woman of low rank. " This 
tecche hadde Kay take in his norice that he dide of sowke, ffor he 
hadde it nothinge of norture of his modern," etc. P'or similar instances, 
see G. Paris, Introd. to Huth Merlin, p. xxi (note). 

20 11. when the lady was delyvered. The prosaic version that 
Malory gives of Arthur's birth should be compared with the more 
poetical account in Lasamon's Brut, 11. 19,254 seq. where elves appear 
and present the child with gifts. On the wider relations of the story to 
folk-lore, see some remarks by Alfred Nutt in Problems of Heroic 
Legend, Tp. 122 (Proceedings of International Folk-Lore Congress, 1891). 

20 13. and that ye delyver hym, etc. Cf. 15 26. 

20 19. Uther felle seke. Cf. Geoffrey's Historia, viii, 24, and the 
prose Merlin, pp. 91-95. 

20 24. hors lyttar. A cut of a horse litter from a late 14th-century 
French MS. is in Jusserand's English Wayfaring Life in the Fourteenth 
Century, p. loi. 

20 25. btit yf=\xv\Q&'i,. For the subjunctive, see Baldwin, 210 (b). 

21 3. what coicnceill were best. Subjunctive of indirect question, cf. 
Baldwin, 228. 

21 4. nys = ne ys, is not. 

21 5. loke ye . . . be. Cf. I'jaldwin, 232 (e), and 1. 14. 

21 15. yelde. For the form, cf. Baldwin, 145. 

21 22. archebisshop of Caunterbury. Some of the French versions 
of the Merlin give his name as Dou Brice. This is Geoffrey of Mon- 
mouth's Dubricius, who is Archbishop of the City of Legions (ix, 12). 

21 26. fhesu. Skeat objects, in a note in his Chaucer, vol. v, p. 
179, to the ioxnx Jhesu as an expansion of Ihu, on the ground that the 
h is unnecessary. Kaluza holds to the h. Cf. note to Libeaus Desconus, 
1. 320. A sufficient justification for our expansion is the uncontracted 
ioxmjhesu, 79 5, 81 2, 84 17, etc. 



248 NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. III. 

21 31. send. Cf. 15 5. 

21 33. made hem dene of her lyf= lived chastely. 

22 1. Powlis. A little inquiry would have removed Malory's doubt. 
The earliest Christian church on the site of St. Paul's was founded by 
Ethelbert in 6io. This was destroyed by fire in 1087, and was succeeded 
by the magnificent old St. Paul's, with a length of 720 feet, and the 
loftiest spire in England. The present building was erected by Sir 
Christopher Wren, 1675-97. 

22 5. a grete stone. Cf. the whole story as here told (pp. 22-26) 
with that in the prose Merlin (pp. 97-107). The more detailed version 
is far more picturesque. 

22 8. stack. For the form, see Baldwin, 149. 

22 9. saiden. The ending -en is rare. Cf. Baldwin, 192. 

22 ]0. Who so piilleth otite this swerde, etc. The accomplishment 
of set tasks as a condition of receiving a reward is one of the commonest 
motives of folk-tales and mediaeval romances. Frequently a penalty is 
attached to the unsuccessful performance of the undertaking. In one 
form or another this motive recurs several times in the Morte Darthur. 
Cf. pp. 50, 85, 89, 126. With reference to Arthur's drawing out the 
sword Gaston Paris remarks (Introd. to Merlin, p. xx) : " L'idee meme 
de cette epreuve parait puisee dans des legendes bibliques : elle 
rappelle, par exemple I'histoire de la verge de Joseph, qui designe, en 
fleurissant seule, celui qui doit etre I'epoux de Marie. II serait facile 
de remonter plus haut dans la recherche de ces designations miracu- 
leuses, et il suffit de rappeler le noeud gordien, ou dans un autre genre, 
le cheval de Darius. On retrouve d'ailleurs des recits analogues dans 
plusieurs contes bretons ; nous citerons surtout un passage de la pre- 
miere continuation de Perceval, oil il s'agit de retirer du corps d'un 
chevalier mort, pour pouvoir le venger, un tron9on de lance, et oil celui 
qui reussit seul a le retirer le fait par inadvertance." The reference 
which M. Paris makes in a footnote to the perron before the palace of 
Charlemagne where the knights tried their swords is less to the point. 

In the Volsimga Saga, iii, Sigmund shows his preeminence by pulling 
a sword out of the Branstock, a great tree that-forms the central pillar of 
the royal hall. As an example from Marchen we may cite Die Zwei 
Briider, Grimm's Hausmdrchen, No. 60. An excellent parallel appears, 
too, in the Life of St. Wolston (Wulfstan), Bishop of Worcester : 
" After the English were defeated at Hastings, Wolston resisted William 
boldly. The king feared his power and threatened to depose him. 
They met at Westminster. The king and the Archbishop of Canterbury 
declared that his arrogance could no longer be tolerated ; Wolston 



Bk. I, Cap. VI.] NOTES. 249 

replied mildly, and agreed to their wish that he should resign. His 
crosier miraculously stuck in the marble of Edward's tomb, and Wolston 
accepted this as a sign that the dignity could only be given up to its 
donor. The people were astonished at the miracle ; no one was strong 
enough to draw out the crobier. The king and the archbishop craved 
permission to amend their mistake, and begged him to receive again his 
crosier as being most worthy. Wolston complied, and drew out his 
crosier from the marble with ease." Early South Ejig, Legendary 
(E. E. T. S. No. 87), p. xxix. 

22 11. Enlond. A mere printer's blunder in Caxton's text, due to 
the position of En- at the end of the line. 

22 13. that ye kepe yow. Cf. Baldwin, 232 (c). 

22 23. and they to kepe this swerd. Cf. Kellner, Blanch, and Egl.^ 
p. Ixix. Baldwin's explanation (241) is somewhat different. Note his 
comments, pp. ']Z, 79. 

22 27. a justes and a tournement. In a joust only two persons 
were engaged ; in a tournament, a number. In jousting the only 
weapon used was the lance. Cf. Schultz, Das hofische Leben, ii, 127. 

22 31. knowe. Not the infinitive, but the past participle, as in 1. 21, 
knowen. Cf. Chaucer's " For Frensh of Paris was to hir unknowe." 
Prol., 1. 126. 

24 7. but he. Cf. also 25 11. This use of but is old. In yElfric's 
Lives of Saints, i, 242 (E. E. T. S.), 1. 74, we find : " buton we feowertig 
\>Q on "Sam feohte stodon." 

24 13. it wold not be. Cf. Baldwin, 293 (a). 

24 26. woll. For the form, cf. Baldwin, 200. 

25 2. most be holdyng to. Cf. / am beholden to them, 63 11 ; I am 
moche beholdyng unto hym, 63 17 ; and Kellner, Blanch, and EgL, 
p. Ixxii. The word beholding occurs in Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, xii, 33 ; 
xiii, 15. Cf. Abbott's Shak. Gram., sec. 372. 

25 9. senceall. On the duties of the seneschal, see Schultz, Das 
hofische Leben, i, 204. Seneschal literally means old servant. In the 
old Frankish monarchy the seneschal was a person of great importance. 
His duties ranged from the supervision of the royal housekeeping to 
the exercise of judicial authority. Cf. 27 3. 

25 15. Twelfth Day. The twelfth day after Christmas. For its 
importance as a popular festival, see Dyer's British Pop. Customs, pp. 
24-36. 

25 15. and to assay. * Kellner, Blanch, and EgL, p. Ixxxvii, cites 
this passage as an instance of redundant and. Yet cf. Kaluza, Engl. 
Stud., xxii, 285, 286. 



250 . NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. VI. 

25 21. Candelmas. February 2, the festival of the Purification of 
the Virgin Mary. On this day many candles were burned in the 
churches and carried lighted in procession. See Dyer's British Pop. 
Customs, pp. 54-56. 

25 32. there were some . . . had indignacion. Cf. in a chirche they 
foiDid one was fair. For the omission of the relative, see Kellner, 

Blanch, and Egl., p. xlv, and an elaborate paper in th.Q Ajiglia, iii, 

115-150- 

26 1. Pentecoste. The season of Pentecost was a favorite time for 

feasts in the Middle Ages, as abundant opportunity was then afforded 
for out-of-door sports. Cf. Schultz, Das hojische Leben, i, 364. In The 
Four Sons of Aymon, part i, p. 16, Charlemagne keeps a solemn feast 
in Paris after his return from Lombardy. Another Pentecost feast is 
described, p. 59. Cf. also Geoffrey of Monmouth's Hist. Reg. Brit., 
ix, 13. The old English kings used to hold a feast and wear their 
crowns in state at Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. " Cf. also Child's 
Ballads, part ii, p. 257." K. 

26 16. who that holdeth. Cf. who saith nay, 28 24. For the con- 
struction, see Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., pp. xl, xlv. 

26 23. coronacyon. On the importance attached in the Middle Ages 
to the ceremony of coronation, see Freeman's Norman Conquest, 
Appendix, note H, to vol. iii. For the forms of the ceremony, see 
Schultz, Das hofische Leben, i, 643 seq. 

27 3-5. sencial . . . constable . . . chamberlayn. These three offi- 
cials existed in the Norman Court. " The High Steward or Seneschal 
acted as supreme ofificial in the royal court ; the Chamberlain was the 
financial officer of the royal household -, the Constable was the Quarter- 
master General of the royal army." Johnson, The A^ormans in Europe, 

P- 235- 

27 12. Round Table. According to Malory, iii, i, Arthur got the 

Round Table as a wedding gift from Guenever's father, Leodegraunce, 
who had received it from Uther-pendragon. In xiv, 2, we are told that 
Merlin made the Round Table in tokening of the roundness of the 
world, and ordained the Siege Perilous. The prose Merlin, pp. 60, 61, 
gives an elaborate account of its origin. .See also the French prose 
Perceval., published by Hucher in Le Saint-Graal, i, 418. Geoffrey of 
Monmouth makes no reference to the Round Table, which is first men- 
tioned by Wace. The two lines by Wace are greatly expanded by 
La5amon, Brut, 11. 22,735-22,974. For the possible signification of the 
term RoJind Table, see Rhys's Studies, p. 9. 

27 14. a grete feste. For the earliest account of this famous feast 



Bk. I, Cap. IX.] , NOTES. 251 

given by Arthur, see Geoffrey of Monmouth, ix, 12-14. For the form 
holdyn, cf. Baldwin, 188. 

27 15. Carlyon. The prose Merlin, pp. 106-108, puts the corona- 
tion and the feast at Logres ; but the feast does not come until after the 
middle of August. 

27 16-26. The names of the kings and the number of the knights 
are given with wide variation in the different French MSS. of the prose 
Merlin. " The kinge of Scotland " is in Geoffrey, ix, 12, called Agusel ; 
in the Merlin, p. 108, Aguysas. " The kyng of Cardos " figures in the 
Merlin, p. 108, as " Carados benbras, that was kynge of the londe of 
Strangore." 

28 15. Carlyon. " At the once famous city, now the decayed village 
of Caerleon upon Usk, — the Isca Siluriim of Antoninus, where the 
second Augustan Legion was, during a long period, in garrison,— are 
the remains of a Roman amphitheatre in a bank of earth heaped up in 
an oval form sixteen feet high, and now also called Arthur's Round 
Table." J. S. Stuart Glennie, Arthurian Localities, p. xxv. The con- 
dition of Caerleon in the 12th century, when the Arthurian romances 
were writing, is described by Giraldus Cambrensis, Itinerarium Cam- 
briae, ch. v. 

28 28. moo reames. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, ix, x, 
Arthur subdues not only Great Ikitain, but Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, 
the Orkneys, Norway, Dacia, Gaul, Aquitaine, and overcomes Lucius, 
Emperor of Rome ! 

28 30. lotigJi. For the form, see Baldwin, 150. 

28 31. a wytche. Cf. Wyclif's New Test.: " But there was a man 
in that citee, whos name was Symount, a witche," Acts, viii, 9. Two 
O. E. words melted together in the M. E. form witche, — the O. E. 
wicca (m.) wizard, magician, and O. E. wicce (f.) witch. 

29 7. jesseraunte. The French Merlin describes Arthur as having 
an haberioun desous sa cote. The jesseraunt appears to have been an 
Algerian form of the hauberk. The common explanation is that it was 
" a light armour composed of splints or small plates of metal riveted to 
each other, or to a lining of some stout material." Fairholt, Costume 
in England, ii, 260. But Schultz, Das hofische Leben, ii, 44, remarks : 
" Im Chanson d'Antioche (ii, 29) heisst es klar und deutlich : ' desront 
et desmaille tant auberc jaserant'; wenn aber der, Halsberc desmaille 
genannt werden kann, so ist er auch aus mailles, aus Ringen gefertigt." 
Cf. also Gautier, note to Chanson de Roland, 1604. 

29 20. though ye were x so many. Kellner, Eng. Syntax, § 265, 
cites several instances of this use of cardinal numbers. Cf. Zupitza, 
Herrig's Archiv, Ixxxiv, 329. 



252 NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. IX. 

29 22. vanysshed aweye. See note on the power of suddenly vanish- 
ing away, in Ward's ed. of Marlowe's Dr. Faustus (2d ed.), p. 178. 

29 27. swerde ye had by myracle. This evidently refers to the 
sword drawn from the stone (p. 22). Yet on p. 30 it is called Excali- 
bur, which, however, is the name of the sword given to Arthur by the 
Lady of the Lake. Cf. pp. 45, 53. 

30 ]3. it gaf light lyke xxx torchys. The prose Merlin, p. 118, 
reads : " It glistred as it hadde be the brightnesse of xxti tapres 
brennynge." The French, still more modest, reads, " doi chierge." 
Cf. Sommer, Morte Darthiir, iii, 36. Very common in the romances 
are references to stones that give out light, especially the carbuncle. 
Cf. Floris a7id Blanch., 11. 174, 644 ; The Four Sons of Aymon, part i, 
ch. iii, p. 75 ; Htion of Biirdeux, pp. 442, 455, 771 : " there was a great 
light in the Chamber as though there had been Thirtie Torches lighted 
by reason of the bright stones that were there," p. 780. See also 
Kolbing's Sir Beves of Hamtoun, p. 282. The transition to swords that 
give out light is sufficiently easy. Surtr, in the northern mythology, 
has a flaming sword. Swords that- give out light are mentioned by 
Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie, iii, 174. Kolbing quotes in the notes to 
Sir Beves, pp. 345, 346, a number of passages in which the battlefield 
is described as shining with the light from shields and helmets. 

30 2i. Bleyse. A visit to Bleyse for the purpose of getting him to 
write the story as Merlin relates it recurs frequently in the prose Merlin^ 
pp. 23, 32, 41, 46, 47, 53, 56, 81, 88, 97, 143, etc. Bleyse is the hermit 
who saves Merlin's mother from being burnt, pp. 13 seq. For the pos- 
sible origin of Bleyse, see Kolbing, note to Arthour and Merlin, p. cxiii. 

30 30. dyd . . . do wryte. For this use of do, see Baldwin, 266 ; 
Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., p. liv. 

31 4. dtsguysed. Cf. the prose Merlin, p. 168: "And the cherll 
hadde on grete boysteis shone of netes leder, and was clothed in cote 
and hoode of rosset, and he was girde with a thonge of a blakke shepes 
skyn ; and he was grete and longe, and blake and rowe rympled." 

31 15. grete tresour. Cf. Merlin, pp. 168, 370. 

31 24. erlys daughter. This episode is somewhat differently related 
in the Merlin, p. 171. There the earl's name is Sevain, the daughter's 
name Lysanor, and the son's name Hoot. 

31 31. Ryence of Northen Walys. Cf. 47 7. 

31 32. Lodegreance of Camylyard. In the Merlin, where he figures 
largely, he is called king of Carmelide or Tamelide, p. 123. 

32 2. Benwyck. In the prose Merlin, pp. 26, 124, identified with 
Bourges, in the Department of Cher, in France. Malory himself remarks, 



Bk. I, Cap. XIX.] NOTES. 253 

XX, i8 : " Somme men calle it Bayen and somme men calle it Beaume, 
where the wine of Beaume is." Cf. also Rhys's Studies^ p. 304. 

32 2. that were. The were should perhaps be was, and that should 
perhaps refer to ordenaunce ; but the passage is apparently corrupt, and 
I can bring no consistent meaning into it. 

32 3. In the Merlin King Claudas is the bitterest foe of King Ban 
(pp. 1 24 seq.). The other names appear in the Merlin, slightly disguised. 

32 7. a XX M. Cf. Kellner, Eng. Syntax, § 259. 

32 14. the fyrst syght of Gwenever. Cf. the prose Merlin, pp. 141, 
177, 210, and particularly the beautiful passage, pp. 225-229. 

32 15. the kynges doughter of Caf?iylya7'd = the daughter of the king 
of C. Cf. " a knyghte the which was the kynges sone of Ireland " ; also 
Kellner, Blanch, and EgL, p. cviii. 

32 16. weddyd. The account in the Morte Darthur is very brief. 
See iii, i, 5. The prose Merlin, pp. 451-454, is much more detailed. 

33 9. Sor haute. For this name, see Rhys's Studies, pp. 324, 354. 
33 9. within kynge Uryens, i.e., within his jurisdiction. For other 

examples, see Baldwin, 356, 2. 

33 10-12. they . . . hem . . . theyr . . . her. The nominative 
plural is always they, never hi; the genitive plural is either their{e), 
theyr{e), or her; the accusative plural, them, theym, hem. Cf. Bald- 
win, 54. 

3>^ 14. Sarasyfis. The term Saracen was loosely applied in the 
Middle Ages to any unbeliever or pagan. For example, the Emperor 
Trajan is called a Saracen in Piers Plowman (B. text), xi, 1 50. Fine 
distinctions were not drawn between idolators and Mohammedans, the 
Saracens proper. The unbaptized Palamydes is called a Saracen in the 
Morte Darthur, xii, ii, 12, 13. For the etymology, see Skeat's note to 
foseph of Arimathie, p. 55. For the wide application of the word, cf. 
Wissmann, Anglia, iv, 383, 384. 

33 25. Idres. Cf. the account in the prose Merlin, pp. 176 seq. 

33 28. Wyndesan. Called Wydesante in the prose Merlin, p. 
177, q. V. 

34 3. a myghty man of men. Cf. the description of Rion in the 
prose Merlin, p. 339 : " He was xiiij foote of lengthe, and half a palme 
be-twene his browes, and was grete and lene and full of veynes and of 
sen ewes, and was also so grym a figure that he was dredefull for to 
be-holde." 

34 11-12. cam to hym kyng Lots wyf of Orkeney. According to the 
version in the Merlin, pp. 179-181, she came with Lot just after Uther's 
death, before Arthur was chosen king. Geoffrey of Monmouth, ix, 9, 



254 NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. XIX. 

regards Mordred (Modred) as the legitimate son of King Lot. In 
Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 52, 1. 1149, Mordred is said to be the son of 
Arthur and his sister, but Arthur imagined her to be the " Maiden of 
Ireland." Rhys gives a mythological interpretation to the story of Mor- 
dred's origin, and draws several parallels, Studies (Index), and particu- 
larly p. 38. 

34 19. on the moder syde Igrayne. For the genitive, see Baldwin, 
22 (c). For the genitive form moder, Baldwin, 10 (c). 

34 22. dreme. Cf. this dream with that on p. 217. For the whole 
subject of dreams in the Arthurian romances, see Mentz, Die Trdume 
in den altfratizosischen Karls- und Artus-Epen, Marburg, 1888; also 
Kolbing's note to Sir Beves of Hamtowt, p. 340, and Skeat's note to 
Piers Plowman^ part iv, p. 197. 

34 25. Hytn thought = \\. seemed to him. Thought \v3c& nothing to 
do with the verb to thijik, O. E. ^'S^nceah, but is from O. E. ^yncean, to 
seem. The forms were early confused. For the construction with the 
dative, see Wiilfing, Die Syntax in den Werkett Alfreds des Grossen, 
p. 106, and Baldwin, 312. 

35 14. the straungest best. Rhys, Studies, pp. 154, 155, attempts an 
explanation of this beast, comparing it with the cropped sow of Welsh 
tradition, and pointing out the parallel between the barking of the beast 
and the barking of Cerberus. ... " On Welsh ground," he adds, " we 
should recognize Pellinore and his monster as another version of Gwyn 
ab Nud^, king of the other world, hunting with his fierce hound." 

35 17. XXX coupyl houndes. For the construction, see Baldwin, 16. 
35 34. after his deth. Cf. p. 65. 

35 34. Palamydes folozved it. " And this meane whyle there came 
Sire Palomydes the good knyght folowynge the questynge beest, that 
hadde in shap a hede lyke a serpentes hede, and a body lyke a lybard, 
buttocks lyke a lyon, and foted lyke an herte ; and in his body there 
was suche a noyse as hit had ben the noyse of thyrtty coupel of houwdes 
questyng, and suche a noyse that beest made where somever he wente. 
Ajtd this beest evermore Syr Palomydes folowed, for hit was called his 
quest." Morte Darthur, ix, 12 ; cf. also, x, 63. 

36 15. lyke a child. Merlin was fond of appearing in the disguise 
of a child or of an old man. Cf. the prose romance, pp. 47, 48, 72, 'j^i^ 
74, 261, 308, 615, 622, etc. 

36 21. to take thought =■ to be anxious. Cf. Trench, Eng. Past and 
Present, p. 304. 

37 17. youre body to be punysshed. For the construction, see Bald- 
win, 242 ; Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., p. Ixx. 



Bk. I, Cap. XXII.J NOTES. 255 

37 19. to be ptct in the erthe qiiyck {^Xwq). ili. Aloj-te Dartkur,\v, i. 
The account in the prose Merlin is very different and much more beau- 
tiful (pp. 68o, 68i). Tennyson's Merlin and Vivien presents a version 
unlike either of these two, and largely the work of his own 
imagination. 

38 6. my glove. " Le gant etait surtout employe comme symbole. 
Jeter son gant, c'etait provocation ; le presenter, c'etait soumission." 
Quoted by Gautier, Chanson de Rola^id, 1. 281. Mellyagraunce defies 
Launcelot with his glove, Morte Darthur, xix, 7. 

38 21. / may not fyghte. Yet the conception was not very strange 
to the Middle Ages. Cf. Brunhilde in the Nibelungenlied, Joan of Arc, 
etc. Historical instances are cited by Schultz, Das hofische Leben, 
ii, 173. For the judicial combat, or wager of battle, cf. further Free- 
man, Norman Conquest, v, 327 ; Schultz, ii, 172; .Lea, Superstition and 
Force ; Neilson, Trial by Combat. Perhaps the most famous instance 
in England is the judicial duel between the Duke of Hereford and the 
Duke of Norfolk on Sept. 16, 1398. Cf. Shakespeare's Richard II, i, 3. 
The meaning of appealing for treason is explained, Morte Darthur, 
viii, 20. Cf. also Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 52. 

39 10. feest that lasted eyght dayes. Cf. 211 8. Long feasts are 
very common in the romances and folk-tales. Reynawde's wedding 
feast lasts eight days, The Foure Sons of Aymon, part i, p. 154 ; so, too, 
does the feast at the marriage of Paris and Helen, Destruction of Troy, 
1. 3466. Arthur's Christmas feast at Carlylele lasts ten days, Huchown's 
Morte Arthur e, 11. 64-73. Feasts lasting a fortnight occur in Amis and 
A?niloun, 11. 100, 433; in Sir Fglamour, 1, 1332 ; in Torrent of Portyn- 
gale, 1. 435 ; in The King of Tars, 1. 559 {Englische Stud., xi, 46). 
Feasts of fifteen days, William of Palerne, 1. 5352 ; Sir Gawayne and 
the Green Knight, 1. 44. Feast of twenty days, Blanch, and Fgl.,Y>- 211. 
Feast of a xnonth, William of Palerne, 1. 5074. Feast of forty days, 
Havelok, 11. 2344, 2950 ; Libeaus Desconus, 11. 1048, 2221. In Jacobs's 
Celtic Fairy Tales, p. 177, a wedding feast lasts a year and a day. Cf. 
also Kolbing, note to Sir Beves of Hamtoun, p. 235, and to Amis and 
A7niloun, p. 231 ; Schultz, Das hofische Leben, i, 363-368. 

39 20. a squyer. A squire was a young man who was passing 
through the various grades of service leading to knighthood. He 
attended his knight, wore spurs of silver instead of gold, and wore a 
sword, but not the belt, of a knight. For many curious details, see 
Schultz, Das hofische Leben., i, 179 seq. 

40 2. strengyst. " -yst for -est in the superlative occurs very 
rarely." Baldwin, 33. 



256 NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. XXII. 

40 18. smote on the sheld. This form of challenge recurs, vi, 2, lo ; 
viii, 19. " Im Felde hangt man die Schilde vor die Zelte ; man stellt 
auch die der Kampfiustigen aus und iiberlasst es dem Fremden, einen 
zu beriihren und so dessen Herrn herauszufordern." Schultz, Das 
hbfische Lebeti, ii, 97. As an historical instance of this form of challenge 
Professor Kittredge cites the joust at St. Ingelbert described by 
Froissart, ed. Kervyn de Lettenhove, xiv, 108 ff. 

40 26. that is nic loth. For the dative, see Kellner, Blanch, and 
Egl., p. xliv. 

40 29. to shevered. The to is equivalent of the German zer (= ent- 
zwei, auseinander), and is found in a score of compound verbs, — to- 
breke, to-breste, to-cleve, to-rcnde, to-scatere, etc. Skeat comments in his 
Chaucer, v. 229, on the verbs compounded with to, and is corrected in 
some points by Kaluza, Engl. Studien, xxii, 285, 286. 

41 10-20. This very singular story first appears in Geoffrey of Mon- 
mouth, ix, 15 seq. It is variously told in the Arthurian romances, in 
the prose Merlin, pp. 639 seq., in Iluchown's Morte Arthiire, etc. 
Malory's version is found in Bk. v. 

41 19. my fader s soule, Utherpendragon. Cf. 34 19. 

42 7. to the deth ward. Cf. 160 27. Ward'vs, to be construed with 
to. Cf. Baldwin, 52 (f) (i). Note also: " bysmorlice fiugon to heora 
lande weard," .^Ifric's Judith, 1. 371. Numerous examples occur in 
Caxton's Reynard the Fox. Sidney writes in his Arcadia, Bk. ii, p. 186 
(ed. of 1 598) : " unfortunately borne to me wards." 

42 34. / assente me. Kellner, referring to this passage, remarks : 
" There are a few verbs used reflexively which seem to be mere transla- 
tions from the French." Blanch, and Egl., p. liii. This explanation does 
not apply to this passage. Cf. Huth Merlin, i, 190. For a list of other 
reflexive verbs in Malory, see Baldwin, 313 (a). 

43 1. every knight ■=^tz.Q\\V.v\^\.. 

43 7. the honour. For this use of the, cf. Kellner, Blanch, and 
Egl., p. xxvii. 

43 12. he to be on horsbak and he on foot. For the construction, cf. 
Baldwin, 250 ; Kellner, Blanch, ajid Egl., p. Ixix. Tristram shows the 
same courtesy to Blamor de Ganis, Morte Darthur, viii, 22. In Amis 
and Amiloun, 11. 1330 seq., Amiloun kills the horse of the steward with 
whom he is fighting, and himself dismounts so as to fight on equal 
terms. Similar incidents occur, Blanch, and Egl., p. 27, Caxton's Lif 
of Charles the Crete, p. 70. Courtesy on a larger scale is pushed so far 
in Lancelot of the Laik, 11. 651-768, that Galiot, who invades Arthur's 
territory with 100,000 men, uses only 10,000 of them to fight Arthur's 



Bk. I, Cap. XXV.] NOTES. 257 

army of 10,000 men. For other courtesies, see Lif of Charles the 
Crete, p. 58 ; Libeaus Desconus, 1. 355, and Kaluza's note. 
43 15. the cantels flewe. Cf. : 



Of Florentys scheld a kantell 
He cleft don ri3t. 



Oct avian, L 11 13. 



See also Libeaus Desconus, 1. 370, and Kaluza's note; N. E. D., s. v. 
cantle. 

44 8. cast an enchauntement. In the prose Merlin (pp. 607, 608), 
the enchanter puts to sleep the entire household of Agravadain, when 
Ban and Bors are on their way home. 

44 15. care ye not, i.e., be not anxious. 

44 17. what a hny^hte = \vh?Lt sort of knight. Cf. Baldwin, 97 (a). 

44 19. than he is one. Cf. 65 9, and Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., 
p. xxviii. 

44 21. Pellinore. See Rhys, Studies, especially pp. 297, 298. 

44 22. save one. Probably an allusion to Galahad. 

44 24. Persyval of Walys. For the significance of this great hero 
of the Grail legends, see Rhys's Studies, chs. iv, v, vi, and Nutt's 
Studies (Index). 

44 24. Lanier ak of Walis. For his exploits, see Morte Darthur, 
Bks. viii, x. In vii, 9, he is ranked with Tristram and Launcelot. 

44 26. destruction of alle this royame. Cf. Bk. xxi. 

44 28. untyl an ermyte. Cf. Baldwin, 353. Skeat has a good note 
on hermits, Piers Plowman (E. E. T. S.), part iv, sec. i, p. 10. Cf. 
Jusserand's English Wayfaring Life in the Fow-tccnth Century, pp. 137, 
138, I40-I43- 

45 8. ati arnie clothed in whyte samyte. Cf. 224 19. For samite, 
see Schultz, Das hdfische Leben, i, 343. The other story about Arthur's 
getting Excallljur has been related. Cf. pp. 30, 53. The contradiction 
is evident. 

45 12. Lady of the Lake. In commenting upon Morgan le Fay, 
Rhys, Studies, p. 348, remarks : " In a word, she is viewed at one time 
as kind and benevolent and at another as hostile and truculent. The 
same sort of remark applies to the same sort of person under the name 
of the Lady of the Lake, of whose figure Malory gives, so to say, widely 
different views. Accordingly, one Lady of the Lake sends Arthur the 
sword Excalibur and asks for Balyn's head in return for it [ii, 3] ; 
another Lady of the Lake confines Merlin in his stone prison [iv, 5] ; 
a third, Nyneue, busies herself about Arthur's safety [ix, 16]; and a 



258 NOTES. [Bk. I, Cap. XXV. 

fourth about that of Launcelot [xix, ii]. They may all be taken as 
different aspects of the one mythic figure, the lake lady Morgen. The 
name Morgen means the offspring of the sea." 

45 22. a yefte. A promise of a gift carte blanche is very common in 
the mediaeval romances; cf. Morte Dartkur, vii, i ; viii, 2, 15, 30; Wars 
of Alexander, 1. 1669 ; Romance of Parthenay^X. 5448 ; Gesta Koinatiorum 
(E. E. T. S.), p. 153 ; T7'istrams Saga og Isondar, ch. 49 ; I'/ie Boy and 
the Mantle in Child's Ballads, ii, 258. The instances of Esther and of 
Herodias will occur to every reader. 

45 25. rowe your self. In the Huth Merlin, i, 198, the Lady of the 
Lake herself gets the sword for Arthur by going dry-shod across the 
water. 

46 6. Carlyon. Cf. Strachey's Introd. to Malory's Morte Darthur, 

p. XV. 

46 19. whether lyketh yow better, i.e., which of the two? Cf. Bald- 
win, 96. 

46 21. me lyketh better. Cf. Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., p. xlviii. 

46 24. lese no blood. Cf. 66 30, 125 14. The virtue of preserv- 
ing the wearer from various physical ills is attributed to certain stones 
in the old Lapidaries. Cf. Pannier, Les Lapidaires Fran^ais, Paris, 1882 ; 
see also Child's Ballads, i, 201. 

46 25. Kepe wel the scaiibard. Morgan le Fay steals Excalibur with 
the scabbard, and thereby nearly causes Arthur's death. Cf. Bk. iv, 
7-1 1. Afterwards (iv, 14) she steals the scabbard and throws it into 
a lake. 

47 2. al one=2\oxiQ. Cf. N. E. D. 

47 7. of all Irelajid and of many lies. In the prose Merlin he is 
called "kynge of the londe of Geauntes and of the londe of pastures," 
p. 114; of the" lynage of Geauntes," p. 141; king of " Irelonde," p. 175; 
king of " Denemarke and of Iselonde," p. 327 ; of the " yles," p. 619 ; lord 
of all the West, p. 620. 

47 9. in this manere wyse. Cf. Baldwin, 24 (a). 

47 12. fayne. For the form, see Baldwin, 1 50. 

47 14. purfyled a viaiitel with kynges berdes. This singular story 
appears, with a different setting, in Geoffrey of Monmouth, x, 3 (San- 
Marte). Arthur, after overcoming the Giant of Mt. St. Michel, says 
that he had found none so strong since he had killed the giant Ritho on 
Mt. Aravius. In the account in the Merlin, p. 649, of the fight with the 
Giant, we read that " never hadde thei seyn so grete a feende," but we 
find no mention of Ritho. Cf. the version in Malory, v, 5. 

According to Geoffrey : " Hie [Ritho] namque ex barbis regum quos 



Bk. I, Cap. XXVIII.] NOTES. 259 

peremerat, fecerat sibi pelles, et mandaverat Arturo ut barbam suam 
diligenter excoriaret, atque excoriatam sibi dirigeret ; ut quemadmodum 
ipse caeteris praeerat regibus, ita quoque in honorem eius caeteris 
barbis ipsam superponerat," etc. The story of the beards is told 
twice (not alike) in the prose i]/.?r/?//, pp. 115, 619, 620. San-Marte 
points out Celtic versions in his notes to Geoffrey's Hist., pp. 402-405, 
and in his Beitrdge zur bretonischen . . . Heldensage, p. 60. For the 
role of Rion in the Huth Merlin, see G. Paris, Introd., i, p. Ixvi. Cf. 
also Lasamon's Brtit, 11. 26,122 seq. and Madden's note, iii, p. 397; 
Dunlop's Hist, of Fiction (1888), i, 224. 

48 11. all were put in a ship to the see. This incident is related in 
the Huth Merlin, i, 204-210, but somewhat differently. The English 
prose Merlin gives interesting details about Mordred, but entirely omits 
this story. This motive is very old, and appears in the story of Danae, 
who was set afloat in a chest by Acrisius, in the story of Romulus and 
Remus, etc. As an incident of mediaeval literature it is found in one 
form or another in the following pieces : Early South Eng. Legendary, 
p. 466; Guigemar in the Lais of Marie de France, 11. 619 seq.; King 
Horn, 11. 103 seq. ; Hartmann von Aue, Gregorius, 11. 595 seq. ; Chaucer, 
Man of Lawes Tale, 11. 341 seq. (cf. also Originals and Analogues, 
vol. i, Chaucer Soc.) ; Sir Egla?nour, 11. 803 seq. ; Torrent of Portyngale, 
11. 1807-1848, 2128-2147 ; the ballad of Edward {k.). Child's Ballads, 
i, 169, and of Lizie IVan, Ibid., ii, 448. See also in Grimm's Hausmdr- 
chen No. 16, Die drei Schlangenbldtter ; No. 20, Das tapfere Schneider- 
lein. In Jacobs's Celtic Fairy Tales, p. 180, Trembling is sent out to 
sea with provisions for seven years. Hahn, Sagwissenschaftliche Stu- 
dien, p. 331, cites the instance of the drowning of Reginbald in the Thid- 
reksaga. An interesting modern parallel is afforded by Macaulay, Hist, oj 
England, iv, 159: "The inhabitants of Eigg seized some Macleods, 
bound them hand and foot, and turned them adrift to be swallowed up 
by the waves or to perish of hunger." Cf. also Gummere, Germanic 
Origins, p. 190. 

48 15. Mordred zuas cast up. The story of the preservation of 
Mordred falls under the " Prophecy Fulfilled " type of folk-tales. See 
Gomme's Handbook of Folklore, p. 128. Cf. also Hartmann von Aue's 
Gregoi'ius, 11. 751-1102. 

48 17. as it reherceth afterward. This is not " reherced afterward" 
in Malory. When Mordred again appears as a knight we learn nothing 
of how he gets to court. 

48 21. what. Cf. Baldwin, 106 (a). 



260 NOTES. [Bk. II, Cap. I. 

BOOK II.i 
Source. 

Book II is very loosely joined to the preceding book. The 
introduction would almost imply an independent narrative. The 
source is one of the continuations of the Merlin^ and is preserved 
only in the Huth MS. of London. This is printed in the Merlin 
edited for the Societe des Anciens Textes Frangais, by G. Paris 
and J. Ulrich, 2 vols., Paris, 1886. Sommer, iii, 70-97, makes a 
detailed comparison of Malory's text with the French, and points 
out the passages in which Malory condenses or otherwise changes 
his original. Malory's additions are slight. 

49 13. lete make a crye . . . shold drawe. For the loose sequence, 
see 16 6, and Baldwin, 263. 

49 15. Canielot. Cf. 80 16. Strachey points out in his Introduction 
to the Morie Dart/mr, pp. xv-xviii, that in spite of the identification 
with Winchester, Camelot here seems to be connected with Avelion or 
Glastonbury. " Camelot itself existed," in the time of Malory and 
Caxton, "in Somersetshire with its proper name, and with all the 
remains of an important town and fortress, and, doubtless, the traditions 
of Arthur which Leland found there, and which in great part at least 
remain to this day." 

49 25. gyrd. The ioxxw gyrte also occurs. Cf. Baldwin, 166. 

50 6. a knyg/ite that Jiath all these vertues. The various tests for 
chastity cited by Child, Ballads, ii, 257, in his Preface to The Boy a)id 
the Mantle, parallel in a general way the tests imposed here. The 
virtue test is a favorite one in the romances. Cf. Bks. xiii, xvii. 

50 7. at kyjtg Ryons. See Baldwin, 324 (2). 

50 15. other. For the use of other without the article, see Bald- 
win, 125. 

50 17. wold not oute = would not come out. For the omission of 
the verb of motion, see Kellner, £ng. Syntax, § S^- 

50 18. ye nede not. Note the personal construction with j^^ in place 
of the older impersonal construction. Cf. Baldwin, 312 (a). 

1 This book is of especial interest to the student of modern English literature 
as being the source of Tennyson's Balin and Balan (1885) and of Swinburne's 
Tale of Baku (1S96). Swinburne follows his original with remarkable fidelity; 
Tennyson allows liimself more freedom. 



Bk. II, Cap. III.] NOTES. 261 

50 19. shall. For this use of shall, cf. Baldwin, 2S2, 3 (a). 

51 5. Balen\j=}i2i\yn\. "In Balyn one readily recognizes Geof- 
frey's Belinus [Hist. Keg. Brit., iii, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10], whose name repre- 
sents the Celtic divinity described in Latin as Apollo Belenus or Belinus. 
With this key one at once comprehends how it was that, according to 
Geoffrey, he had a brother Brennius, that is to say, Bran, King of Brit- 
ain from the Humber to Caithness. The latter is represented as being 
at war with BeUnus and driven by him into exile, which gave Geoffrey 
a welcome opportunity of identifying his mythic Bran with the Gaulish 
leader Brennus. Thus it is seen that Belinus pr Balyn was, mythologi- 
cally speaking, the natural enemy of the dark divinity Bran or Balan, 
and so he was of Peleur or Pellam." Rhys, Studies, pp. 119, 120. 

51 11. he put hym not ferre in precs, i.e., he did not put himself far 
forward in the crowd. 

51 24. it serfieth not yow to spede. For the construction, see Kellner, 
Blanch, and Egl., p. Ixx ; Baldwin, 242. 

51 28. 77uins persone. For the variety of meanings taken on by the 
-word pei'son in its development, see Max Miiller's Biog. of Words and the 
Home of the Aryans, pp. 32-47. " Cf. the common M. Eng. mannes 
creature, e.g., Gower, C. A., Bk. vii, Pauli, iii, 272." K. 

53 17. a yefte that he proniysed her. Cf. p. 45. 

53 21. Excalibur, that is as much to say as. Cut stele. For the con- 
fusion of this sword with the one drawn from the stone, cf. 45 8. In 
the prose Merlin, p. 118, the Lady of the Lake does not provide the 
sword. We are told : " And it was the same swerde that he toke oute 
of the ston ; and the letteres that were write on the swerde seide that 
the right name was cleped Escalibourc, whiche is a name in ebrewe, that 
is to sey in englissh, kyttynge Iren, tymber, and steill." The form 
Calibou7'?ie is also common in the Merlin. Geoffrey of Monmouth, 
ix, 4, II ; X, II, calls it Caliburnus. The short verse romance of 
Arthur (ed. Furnivall, E. E. T. S., No. 2) calls Arthur's sword Broun- 
stelle, 11. 96, 97. Swords with names are common in the Icelandic sagas, 
in the French romances, etc. Galatyn is the name of Gawayn's sword, 
Sommer's Morte Barthur, i, p. 176. " Enchanted swords are common 
in romance. Even in classical times we have the Styx-dipped sword of 
Turnus, and that of Hannibal {Sil. Ital.^ i, 429), which old Temisus had 
made in an enchanted fire." Kitchin, note to Faery Queene, Bk. ii, 
C. viii, 19. See also.note to Huon of Burdeux (E. E. T. S.), pp. 810, 811, 
and Jacobs's List of Incidents. Zimmer points out in an important 
article in the Zeitschrift fiir franz. Sprache und Lit., xii, 235-237, that 
the Caliburnus of Geoffrey is identical with the celebrated sword of 



262 NOTES. [Bk. II, Cap. III. 

Irish legend, Caladbolg (Welsh Caletvwlch). Cf. also Madden's note to 
Lajamon's Brut, 1. 21,137. " For long lists of famous swords, etc., see 
Reiffe nberg's Introd. to Le Chevalier an Cygne, i, pp. ci ff." K. 

53 26. I take no force though ^=\\. xiizXi^x^ ^xoX. though. Cf. Skeat's 
Chaucer, v, 265. 

54 4. whan it was told hym. Cf. " And whan it was told the kynges 
that there were come messagers," Sommer's Morte Darthiir, i, 48 27. 
Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., p. Iv. 

54 29. most foo = gxe2iXest foe. Cf. Baldwin, 48 (b). 

54 32. for to displease kyng Arthur. Cf. Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., 
p. Ivx ; Baldwin, 248. 

55 10. the kynges sone of Irelond. Cf. 32 15. 

55 14. more of prowesse, i.e., of greater prowess. 

57 14. to slee a lady. The oath of a knight required him to defend 
ladies in peril. 

57 20. pe^ysshed, and so percyd. These two verbs were often con- 
fused in Middle English. Cf. Kaluza's note to Libeaus Desconus, 1. 1229, 
and a note to Gesta Rom. (E. E. T. S.), p. 454. 

57 26. that catne ride. This use of the infinitive ride with came is 
not uncommon in Old and Middle English. In modern English the 
infinitive has been replaced by the present participle. For other 
examples, see Kaluza's note to Libeaus Desconus, 1. 118, where are 
cited, com ride, com prike, come flinge, etc. 

57 30. /^i'/ = ruined, destroyed. Lost has here a causative sense. 
Cf. Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., p. lii. The French reads : " deus ames 
feres perdre pour une." Huth Merlin, i, 227. 

58 5. sholde have hurte her. For the subjunctive, see Baldwin, 211. 
58 6. rofe her self thorow the body. Cf. the death of Garnysshe, 

75 24. In Blanch, and Egl., (E. E. T. S.), p. 30, a lady dies of grief on 
finding her lover dead. When Troilus thinks Criseyde to be dead he 
draws his sword to kill himself. Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, iv, 
1 185 seq. Professor Kittredge calls attention to the well-known story 
of Pyramus and Thisbe. 

58 7. dedes. It is possible that dedes (deeds) is a misprint for dede 
(dead), but neither the various readings nor the French original give 
any clue. 

58 19. betwixe. The form betwixt occurs, 60 10. Other examples 
of excrescent / are found in agains-t, behes-t, mids-t, luhils-t. See Skeat, 
Prin. of Eng. Etym., first series, p. 367. 

58 19. and. One is tempted to read out for and. A printer might 
easily mistake one for the other if the author had not crossed the / clearly. 



Bk. II, Cap. VIII.] NOTES. 263 

58 20. a man told me . . . and that man had sene you. Kellner, 
Blanch, and Egl., p. xlvii, regards the second man as the indefinite pro- 
noun. Baldwin, p. 20, note, questions this and remarks : " That before 
the second fnan may be a demonstrative, in which case the second man 
would have the same sense as the first." The Engiibh rendering is not 
very clear, but there is no doubt as to what the translator was trying to 
express. The P'rench reads : '' on me dist au chastiel de[s] quatre 
perrieres que vous esties delivres, et que on vous avoit veut a la cour 
le roi Artus." Huth Merlin, i, 228. 

59 5. cam a dwarf. The dwarf is one of the stock " properties " of 
mediaeval romance, as in fact he was of the actual mediaeval castle. Cf. 
Schultz, Das hqfische Leben, i, 207. 

59 12. in my defendaunt = \n my defence. 

59 18. valyaunts men. Baldwin, p. 11, note, thinks that valyaunts 
" is probably a contract superlative, the t having been dropped by the 
typesetter." This is possible, and it must be admitted, furthermore, 
that adjectives having Romance plurals in s are rare at this period. 
Skeat can cite from Piers Plowman but one instance, cardinales vertnes, 
but he cites four from Chaucer, Works, vi, p. Ixx. The French cannot 
help us here, since the original of this passage is lost. For instances in 
Palsgrave (1530), see Marsh's Orig. and Hist, of the Eng. Lang., p. 510, 
note. " Cf. also Child, Observ. on Lang, of C. T, § 43 ; ten Brink, 
Chaucer^s Spr. u. Versk., § 243; Skeat, P. PI., ed. 1886, ii, 130. Infernals 
illusions occurs in some MSS. of Chaucer's Troilus, v, 368." K. 

59 18. the kynne of this knyght wille chace yotu. The duty of aveng- 
ing the murder of kinsmen was recognized as fully in the Middle Ages 
as it was in the early history of the Jews. The Icelandic saga NJdla 
has this as its central motive. The custom is indeed world-wide. 

59 24. kynge Mark. In the Morte Darthur, Mark figures chiefly in 
Bks. viii, ix, x. For the meaning of his name and his place in Celtic 
myth, see Rhys, Studies, pp. 70, 357, 358. 

59 31. they fotind one was fair. Cf. 25 32. 

60 3. how. This word is merely used to introduce a quotation, 
and is purely expletive. Cf. that, 79 18. 

60 8. a doyng. The form in the Morte Darthur is commonly on 
rather than a; on huntynge, 68 28. Cf. Baldwin, 340 (b). Kellner dis- 
cusses the construction, Blanch, and Egl., p. Ixxv. Storm, Englische 
Philologie {2d ed.), i (cf. Index), cites numerous instances of its use 
down to the present day. 

60 10. the grettest bataille. Launcelot and Tristram fought several 
times. See ix, 35-37 ; x, 5, 69, 76. The battle here referred to is 
described, x, 5, and mention is made of this passage. 



264 NOTES. [Bk. II, Cap. VIII. 

60 29. stroke most dolorous. See pp. 72, ']'^, 73 5. 

61 7. as. Kellner, Blanch, ajid Egl., p. Ixxxviii, regards that as a 
conjunction, and thinks that as is redundant. The more probable con- 
struction is indicated by the punctuation in our text, i.e., " suche peryl- 
lous dede as that is." 

62 20. In Bk. viii, 12, Tristram says, " Ye shalle wynne more by my 
lyf than by my dethe." 

63 5. Syr kynge, ye are welco?ne. It is to be suspected that con- 
siderable sarcasm was mingled with Arthur's welcome. 

63 6. hyder . '. . hyther. Hyder appears, 57 7; hyther, 54 11. 
Words containing medial d were in a transition state when Malory 
wrote. 

63 17. beholdyng. Cf. 25 2. 

63 22. none. Translated 7ioo7i in the glossary. It is possible, how- 
ever, that it may here be taken literally, hora nona = ninth hour = 
3 P.M. 

64 14. Nero was destroyed. Malory is following the Huth Merlin. 
The ordinary Merit?!, pp. 615-630, gives a very different account. 
Nero is not mentioned. Arthur meets Rion in battle and kills him. 
Of Balin and Balan we hear nothing. 

64 23. the one should probably be that one {that, conj.). The 
French reads : " Et il savoit bien que li uns d'aus deus i morroit." 
Iluth Merlin, p. 256. If we read the, we must supply a relative that 
before shold. 

64 25. " 07iy is sometimes used for eyther." Baldwin, 122. 

64 26. he had lever. Cf. Chaucer's hym was lever. Prol. C T., 
1. 293. Professor Kittredge adds a reference to F. Hall's article on 
" Had rather," etc., in Am. Jotir. of Philology, ii, 281 ff. 

64 26. had be slayjie = should be slain. See Baldwin, 260 (b), 
note 2. 

64 28. me. For the dative, see Baldwin, 80 (c). 

65 4. werre. It is possible that the text should be left unchanged, 
and that the reading werse should be rejected. Stratmann (rev. Bradley) 
cites a half dozen instances of werre, meaning worse. Yet Wers is 
found, 29 28, and werse, 47 34 (Sommer). 

65 9. as he was one. Cf. 44 19. 

65 13. therfor kyng Lot held ayenst Arthur. The account in 
Malory and in the Huth Merlin cannot be reconciled with that in the 
ordinary Merlin. In the latter Lot disdains Arthur at his coronation 
because of his youth. But afterwards Lot is reconciled to Arthur and 
is on his side in the final combat when Rion is killed, p. 625. 



Bk. II, Cap. XIIL] NOTES. 265 

65 25. revenged the deth. Cf. 59 18. We get no further account 
in Malory of Pellinore's death, but in x, 21, Gawain speaks of having 
killed him. 

65 29. Saynt Stevyns. In Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 47, Josephes 
builds St. Stephen's in the city of Camelot. St. Stephen's minster is 
mentioned in the prose Merlin, pp. 453, 463, 495, 614. 

66 1. at. Cf. 1. 5, to. 

66 3. Gareth. Note Rhys's comments on Gareth, Studies, pp. 

21, 393- 

66 8. xij ymages. There is a resemblance, perhaps more than 
casual, between this tomb and the magnificent monument of Kaiser 
Maximilian I, in the Hofkirche at Innsbruck. The differences are, of 
course, great. 

In the Huth Merlin, \, 263, the statues are placed on a tower. 

66 8. laton. " It was a kind of mixed metal, somewhat resembling 
brass both in its nature and colour, but still more like pinchbeck. It 
was used for helmets (Rime of Sir Thopas, B. 2067), lavers (P. PI. 
Crede, 196), spoons (Nares), sepulchral memorials (Way in Prompt. 
Parv.), and other articles." Skeat, note to Chaucer's Pardoneres ProL, 
V, 270. See the entire note; also note to Sir Fcriirnbras, p. 213 
(E. E. T. S.). 

67 2. she loved another knyght. See the account in iv, 6-14. Cf. 
the prose Merlin, pp. 506 seq. 

67 8. nere. Cf. Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., p. Ixxx. 
67 10. a grete batail. See pp. 219-222. 

67 12. Basdetnegics. Commonly, Bagdemagiis. Rhys, Studies, pp. 
344, 345, explains how the name was transformed by the romancers 
from its Celtic form. 

68 12. cajne one invysybel. Cf. Tennyson's lines : 

At once 
He felt the hollow-beaten mosses thud 
And tremble, and then the shadow of a spear, 
Shot from behind him, ran along the ground. 
Sideways he started from the path, and saw, 
With pointed lance as if to pierce, a shape, 
A Ught of armour by him flash, and pass 
And vanish in the woods. 

Balin and Balan. 

68 31. and I were armed as ye be, I wolde fyghte wyth yow. Cf. 
Libeaiis Desconns, 1. 11 23. 



266 NOTES. [Bk. II, Cap. XIIL 

69 8. Garlon. Rhys, Studies, p. 121, remarks that " Garlon is 
probably to be identified with the Gwrgi Garwlwyd, already mentioned 
(p. 73), as a cannibal held up to detestation in the Triads." 

69 32. blood. The curative power of blood is mentioned several 
times in the Morte Darthur. Cf. pp. 70, 72, 140-142, 160, Bk. vi, 15. 
This singular superstition was widespread in the Middle Ages, and fur- 
nished a motive for more than one literary work. Most commonly 
blood was recommended as a cure for leprosy. According to the 
legend of Silvester, the Emperor Constan tine, being leprous, was advised 
to bathe in the blood of three thousand children, but he refused to 
destroy so many lives for the sake of his own (Gower's version of this 
story, Confessio Amantis, Bk. ii, end, does not mention the number). 
In Amis and Amiloun, ed. Kolbing, 1. 2310, Amis cuts the throats of 
his two children and takes their blood for the cure of his friend 
Amiloun, who has become leprous. The children are miraculously 
brought to life again. In Hartmann von Aue's poem, Der Arnie Hein- 
rich, 11. 445 seq., a peasant girl is ready to sacrifice her life in order to 
furnish blood for curing the leprosy of the prince. He is cured, how- 
ever, just as she is about to be bled. Cf. Cassel, Die Syvibolik des 
Bltites 7/nd der Arme Heinrich des Hartnuinn von A7ie, Berlin, 1882, 
and Volkstliilmliches ziini Armen Heinrich in Zeitschrift fiir deutsche 
Philologie, xxiii, 217 ; Child, Ballads, i, 47, 50 ; viii, 441 ; Gesta Rom., 
p. 69 (E. E. T. S.). 

Other instances occur of a somewhat different type. St. Christopher's 
blood smeared on the eyes of a blind king gives sight. Early South Eng. 
Legendary, p. 277 (E. E. T. S.). The wife of Promius, Emperor of 
Rome, is in love with a knight, but she is cured of her love and her 
lovesickness by being anointed with his blood. Gesta Ro7n., p. 342 
(E. E. T. S.). For a variety of other parallels, see Lonelich's Holy 
Grail, ch. 56, 11. 441 seq. ; E Ystoire des Sept Sages, ch. ii, part xi; 
Traill's Social England, ii, 81 ; Child's Ballads, ii, 337 ; Jacobs's Indian 
Fairy Tales (Punchkin), pp. 26, 27 (Loving Laili), p. 64, and his List of 
Lncidents; Grimm's Haiismdrchen, No. 6 (Der Treue Johannes). 
" Blood is used as a salve for curative purposes among some tribes in 
Australia and among the Guamos of the Orinoco." Crombie on The 
Saliva Superstition \n Transactions of Internat. Folk-Lore Congress, 1891, 
p. 255. Rhys, Studies, p. 119, comments on the passage in our text and 
suggests a Celtic parallel. My colleague Professor F. W. Nicolson tells 
me that a "physician" in Portland, Me., bathes all his consumptive 
patients in beef blood. 

70 8. it telleth after. Qi. pp. 140-142. 



Bk. II, Cap. XVL] notes. 267 

70 28. kynge Pellam. The same as Pelleam, the maimed king. See 
Lonelich's Holy G?'ail, ch. 55, 11. 484 seq. There is considerable con- 
fusion in Malory's mind caused by the variety of forms in the French. 
Cf. Rhys, Studies, ch. xii, and Nutt, Studies, Index i. 

71 12. and wold have had ^= diXid [they] wold, etc. The subject is 
often omitted when it is a pronoun, Cf. 62 3. 

71 14. a knyghte alweyes to kepe. Cf. 54 24. 

71 25. avysed hym. For other reflexive verbs in the i^t7r/<? Z>ar^^«r, 
see Baldwin, 313. 

71 33. cam. For the form, see Baldwin, 186 (a). 

72 1. clave his hede to the sholders. Cf. the favorite phrase in the 
prose Merlin, p. 343, etc., " slytte hym to the teth." Cf. the iorm clave 
with the form cla/, Morte Darthur (Sommer), 689 22. 

72 5 seq. Cf. Tennyson's version ; 

Then Garlon, reeling slowly backward, fell, 
And Balin by the banneret of his helm 
Draggd him, and struck, but from the castle a cry 
Sounded across the court, and — men-at-arms, 
A score with pointed lances, making at him — 
He dash'd the pummel at the foremost face, 
Beneath a low door dipt, and made his feet 
Wings thro' a glimmering gallery, till he mark'd 
The portal of King Pellam's chapel wide 
And inward to the wall ; he stept behind ; 
Thence in a moment heard them pass like wolves 
Howling ; but while he stared about the shrine, 
In which he scarce could spy the Christ for Saints, 
Beheld before a golden altar lie 
The longest lance his eyes had ever seen, 
Point-painted red ; and seizing thereupon 
Push'd thro' an open casement down, lean'd on it. 
Leapt in a semicircle, and lit on earth. 

Balin and Balan. 

73 5. that was falle doune thorugh that dolorous stroke. On the 
collapsed castle, note a remark by Rhys, Studies, p. 347. For Celtic 
parallels to the dolorous stroke and other comments, see ibid., pp. 120, 
258, 259, 264, 275, 285, 300. 

Another dolorous stroke is described in our text, 126 34. 
73 12. Galahad . . . heled hym. See 160 21. 

73 14. Joseph of Armathe. For details concerning him, see Nutt's 
Studies, Summaries and Index i. 



268 NOTES. [Bk. II, Cap. XVI. 

73 16. spere. For the importance of this spear in the legend of the 
Grail, see Nutt's Studies, Index i {Lance). 

73 18. nyghe of Joseph kynne. For the genitive, see Baldwin, lo (e). 
The confusion in the genealogies is discussed in Nutt's Studies, pp. 84, 85. 

75 3. saive her lye. The story of Pelleas and Ettard (cf. iv, 22) 
parallels at several points the story of Garnyssh and his lady. 

75 24. roofe hym self. Cf. 58 6. 

76 3. he herd an home blowe as it had ben the dethe of a best. This 
was the recognized signal in hunting. Cf. Schultz, Das hofische Leben, 
i, 460. 

76 22. yew. Caxton's misprint iox yaw. 

76 22. byggar. A " rare variant in the comparative is -ar." Bald- 
win, 33 (a). 

77 2. blessid hym. Crossed himself. 

77 9. he denied it was not he. The fight of Balin with his brother is 
a mere variant of the very old motive, found in more than one literature, 
of the fight of a son with his father, neither knowing the other. With- 
out taking account of OEdipus killing his father, we note that in the 
Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 1. 13,912, Ulysses receives in battle a 
deadly wound from Telegonus, whom he discovers to be his son. The 
story of Sohrab and Rustum is familiar to all readers of Matthew 
Arnold. The most famous instance in Germanic literature is found in 
the Hildebrandslied. Of this there is also an Icelandic version. See 
Corpus Foeticutn Boreale, i, 190, and Saxo Grammaticus, Gesta Dano- 
rum, Bk. vii. A similar motive appears in the romance of Sir Degare 
(Abbotsford Club ed.) ; cf. Ellis's Early English Metrical Rom., pp. 
577' 578- Galahad fights his father Launcelot without knowing him, 
Morte Darthur, 113 5. Even in Shakspere we find the same motive. 
A son has killed his father unawares on the battlefield and cries out : 

" Who 's this ? — O God ! it is my father's face, 
Whom in this conflict I unawares have killed." 

Henry VI, part iii, act ii, sc. 5. 

Kohler has an elaborate note on combats between father and son in a 
comment on the Milun of Marie de France, Lais, ed. Warnke, pp. 
xcvi-xcix. 

The fighting of a brother with brother, neither knowing the other, 
appears to be less common, but in the days when armor covered the 
entire body, it must have been an easy possibility. Generydes fights 
his brother Ismael without knowing him. Generydes (E. E. T. S.), 11. 
2622 seq. Cf. Launcelot's fight with Tri.strani, Mortc DartJiur, x, 5, 



Bk. II, Cap. XVII I.] NOTES. 269 

and Nutt's Problevis of Heroic Legend m. Transaciions of Inter nat. Folk- 
Lore Congress, 1891, p. 127. 

The placing of the fight upon an island reminds one of the familiar 
holniga7ig of the Icelandic sagas. " Cf . also Torrent of Fortyngale and 
Sir Tristre?n." K. 

77 27. none = neither. 

78 2. hawberkes tennaiied. The hauberk consisted of rings joined 
so as to form a protective armor for the upper part of the body. 
Schultz, Das hofische Lebe?i, ii, 31, 32. "Perhaps unmailed should be 
read instead of iin nailed.'''' K. 

78 10. Balan yede on al four. Cf. Tennyson : 

But when their foreheads felt the cooling air, 
Balin first woke, and seeing that true face. 
Familiar up from cradle-time, so wan, 
Crawl'd slowly with low moans to where he lay, 
And on his dying brother cast himself 
Dying ; and he lifted faint eyes ; he felt 
One near him ; all at once they found the world, 
Staring wild-wide ; then with a childlike wail, 
And drawing down the dim disastrous brow 
That o'er him hung, he kiss'd it, moan'd and spake ; 
" O Balin, Balin, I that fain had died 
To save thy life, have brought thee to thy death. 
Why had j^e not the shield I knew ? and why 
Trampled ye thus on that which bare the crown ? " 
Then Balin told him brokenly, and in gasps. 
All that had chanced, and Balan moan'd again. 

" O brother," answer'd Balin, " woe is me ! 
My madness all thy life has been thy doom. 
Thy curse, and darken'd all thy day ; and now 
The night has come. I scarce can see thee now. 
Good-night ! for we shall never bid again 
Good-morrow — Dark my doom was here, and dark 
It will be there. I see thee now no more. 
I would not mine again should darken thine, 
Good-night, true brother." 

Balan answered low, 
" Good-night, true brother here ! good-morrow there ! 
We two were born together, and we die 
Together by one doom" : and while he spoke 
Closed his death-drowsing eyes, and slept the sleep 
With BaUn, either locked in either s arm. 

Balin and Balan. 



270 NOTES. [Bk. II, Cap. XVIII. 

78 21. to our bothes destruction. The genitive bothes is anomalous, 
in Malory, cf. Baldwin, 72, but it occurs also in Chaucer. Cf. the forms 
bothis, botheis, bothes, in Kittredge's Observ. on the Lajig. of Chaucer^s 
Troilus, p. 167. 

79 7. her ryghtes, i.e., the eucharist and extreme unction. 

79 18. that. a. 6Q \2 dindKeWnex, Blanch, aud Egl.,Tp. xc. That 
was not uncommonly used to introduce a direct quotation. Cf. a 
similar use of the Gothic \>atei. . 

79 23. fordyd that bed. " This enchantment lasted till ' Lanscelos,' 
the son of King ' Ban de Benoic,' came into the island ; but not he him- 
self, but ' un anelet' which he had, and which 'descouvroit tous enchante- 
mens,' put an end to it." Sommer, iii, 95. This " anelet " was given 
to Launcelot by " la damoisele del lac." 

80 2. shalle slee . . . Syr Gawayne. See xx, 21, 22; xxi, 2. 

80 5. brydge of yron aitd of stele. It is possible that Merlin's 
narrow bridge was suggested by the old conception found in the Vision 
literature and elsewhere. Ward, Cat. of Romances, ii, 399, in comment- 
ing on the Vision of St. Paul, remarks : " The Bridge of Dread, to 
which we have just alluded, is the name usually given to the bridge 
which all Souls have to pass on their way from Earth to Heaven. It 
is long, narrow, and slippery; and a Hell-torrent roars underneath it. 
It figures in the Koran ; but it had found its way into Christian legends 
before the time of Mohammed." Cf. also Ward's comments on St. 
Patrick'' s Piirgatory, ibid., ii, 441. For other discussions, see Rhys's 
Studies, p. 55, Rofnania, xii, 508-510. Professor Kittredge adds 
references to Baist in Grober's Zeitschrift, xiv, 159; C. Fritsche, Pom. 
Forsch., ii, 247 ff. ; iii, 337 ff. 

80 14. the stone hoved al weyes above the water. Cf. the story of 
Elisha, // Kings, vi, 6, who made the axe float. In Gen. and Exod., 
11. 3185-3187, we find : 

On an gold gad 'Se name god 
If grauen, and leid up-on ge flod ; 
Moyfes it folwede Sider it flet. 

80 22. in the book of Sancgrayll. Cf. p. 85. 



Bk. XIII.j NOTES. 271 



BOOK XIII. 
I. Connecting Link. 

The story from the point where we break off at the end of 
Book II to the point where we take it up again at the beginning 
of Book XIII is by no means a unit. 

Book III narrates the marriage of Arthur and Guenever, and 
the founding of the Round Table. Then the story turns suddenly 
to the exploits of Tor and his father, King Pellinore, and to various 
other matters. 

Book IV describes the end of Merlin and introduces us to the 
young Launcelot. The burden of the larger part of the book, 
however, is an adventure of Arthur's. After discomfiting five 
invading kings, he is enticed into a castle, where he is imprisoned 
by the treason of his sister Morgan le Fay. Arthur finally 
escapes and recovers his sword Excahbur, with the scabbard, 
which she had cunningly got from him. Various other incidents 
follow, chief among them the story of Pelleas and Ettard. 

Book V, which tells of Arthur's wars with the Romans, is 
probably to most readers one of the least interesting books of the 
Morte Darthur. One or two passages are picturesque, but the 
general level is low. 

In Book VI, Launcelot springs to the front as the greatest of 
the knights of the Round Table, and this preeminence he main- 
tains till the final overthrow of Arthur. The incidents here 
related are varied, but not of especial importance to the develop- 
ment of the Morte Darthur. 

Book VII is a romance within a romance, and is wholly 
devoted to the tale of Gawaine's brother Sir Gareth, nicknamed 
Beaumains by Sir Kay. The outline of the story has been made 
familiar to modern readers in Tennyson's Gareth and Lynette. 
We need hardly suggest that the poet takes considerable liberties 
with his material. 

By another sharp transition we turn in Book VIII to a new 
hero, Sir Tristram. He defends the kingdom of his uncle King 
Mark of Cornwall against invasion, and is at length commissioned 



272 NOTES. [Bk. XIII. 

to bring La Beale Isoud from Ireland to be the bride of King 
Mark. Isoud and Tristram drink a love potion, and ever after 
love each other. Tristram has considerable trouble in bringing 
the bride to her husband, and still more by being involved in 
quarrels with her admirers. He finally goes wounded to Brittany. 
Here he is cured by another Isoud, whom he marries. His repu- 
tation suffers in consequence at King Arthur's court. 

Book IX continues the story of Tristram, and tells also of the 
young knight La Cote Male Taile. Tristram has various adven- 
tures, saves Arthur's life, and afterwards goes mad, supposing that 
he has lost .the love of Queen Isoud. At length he is found and 
brought to Mark's castle at Tintagel, but is recognized and ban- 
ished for ten years. Tristram then spends his time in going from 
place to place jousting, meets Sir Launcelot and many other 
knights, and wins renown everywhere. 

In Book X, the longest in the Morte Darthiir^ Tristram per- 
forms great feats which cannot be easily summarized. Most 
important is his elopement with La Beale Isoud and their recep- 
tion by Launcelot, who brings them to Joyous Gard. 

Book XI tells principally of Launcelot, and of his becoming, 
by means of enchantment, the father of Galahad. Queen Guen- 
ever is duly jealous, and by her reproaches drives Launcelot to 
madness. 

The remainder of the book tells of the brothers Aglovale and 
Percivale. 

In Book XII we learn yet more of Launcelot. In his madness 
he has various adventures and even performs feats of arms. At 
last he is discovered by Elaine, the mother of Galahad, and healed 
of his wounds by the Holy Grail. Then after some more exploits 
Launcelot returns after an absence of two years to Arthur's court, 
accompanied by Sir Percivale and Sir Ector. The queen and 
all the court welcome him with great joy. 

While Launcelot has been absent Tristram has won great 
renown. He and Isoud are glad at Launcelot's return. In due 
time Tristram goes up to the feast of welcome, overcomes on the 
way his old rival Palamides, and finally returns to Isoud at Joy- 
ous Gard. This book ends with the words : " Here endeth the 



Bk. XIII, Cap. I.] NOTES. 273 

second book of syr Tristram that was drawen oute of Frensshe in 
to Englysshe. But here is no rehersal of the thyrd book." 

The story of Tristram breaks off at this point and is not again 
taken up. 

II. Source. 

" The thirteenth to the seventeenth books of ' Le Morte Dar- 
thur ' are devoted to the adventures of the knights of the Round 
Table in the search of the Holy Grail. . . . Malory has shortened 
his original in this portion of his 7'ifaciinento less than in any 
other, and has in many cases limited himself to translating it." 
Sommer, iii, 206. The original is La Quesie del Saint Graal, 
which has been edited by Furnivall for the Roxburghe Club, 
London, 1864. Sommer makes a detailed comparison of the 
English and the French texts, and prints a number of parallel 
passages to show how close is the agreement.^ 

82 4. entryd in to the halle . . . on horsbak. This was a very com- 
mon practice, if we may judge from the numerous references to it in 
the romances. In the Huth Merlin, i, 184, when Gifilet returns from 
his unlucky jousting, we read: " Et il en vint en la sale tout a cheval, 
et quant li rois le vit venir sanglent si coume il estoit, il li dist trop 
courrechies," etc. Cf. " Comys syr launcelot du lake Rydand Ryght 
in [to] the halle." Morte Arthur, 1. 1554. (Harl. MS., No. 2252.) 

In Child's Ballads, iii, 51 ; iv, 510 ; vi, 508, a large number of ref- 
erences are given by Child and Kittredge. See also Nutt's Studies, 
p. 155; Morley's English Writers, vi, 229 ; Skeat's Chaucer, v, 374. 

83 7. Bors. " There can be no serious doubt that he was the 
same person called Bort in the Welsh Triads, for besides the similarity 
of the name, Bors like Bort was one of those who found the Holy 
Grail." Rhys, Studies, p. i6r. He adds in a note that Malory "some- 
times makes Bors into two persons, Syr Bors de Ganys, as in iv, 19, 
and Kynge Bors of Gaule, as in i, 10." 

1 The literature of the Grail legend is very extensive, and is constantly increas- 
ing. See Nutt's Studies; Rhys's Studies, ch. xiii. The Origin of the Holy 
Grail; Hucher, Le Saint Graal, 3 vols., Le Mans, 1874, Baist, Z.f. r. Phil., 
xix, 326 seq., etc. Nutt, pp. 38-52, gives a convenient abstract of the Quesie, 
with a numbering of the separate incidents. The summaries whicli Xutt gives 
of the other Grail legends are now and then useful for comparison. 



274 NOTES. [iii^- -XIII, Cap. I. 

83 31. pryme. The exact sense in which prime is to be taken in a 
particular passage must be determined by the context. Usually /r/wi? 
indicates the prime or first quarter of the twelve-hour day, i.e., 6 to 9 
A.M. It is also taken to mean 9 a.m., which may possibly be the 
hour meant here. 

83 32. made hyvi knyght. For a description of the ceremony 
attending the making of a knight, see Guy of Warwick (E. E. T. S.), 
version i, 11. 385 seq. ; the prose Merlin, pp. 374, 375, and especially 
pp. 583, 584; see also Schultz, Das hdfische Leben, i, 181-190. 

84 14. Sege Perilloiis. In the Morte Darthiir, xi, i, we read : 
" Afore the tyme that Syre Galahalt was goten or borne, there came in 
an hermyte unto kynge Arthur upon Whytsonday, as the knyghtes 
satte at the Table Round. And whan the heremyte sawe the Syege 
Perillous he asked the kyng and alle the knyghtes why that sege was 
voyd. Sir Arthur and ail the knyghtes ansuerd, ' Ther shalle never 
none sytte in that syege but one, but yf he be destroyed.' Thenne 
sayd the hermyte, ' Wote ye what is he .■" ' Nay,' said Arthur and all 
the knyghtes, 'we wote not who is he that shalle sytte therein.' 
' Thenne wote I,' said the heremyte, ' for he that shal sytte there is 
unborne and ungoten, and this same yere he shalle be goten that shalle 
sytte ther in that Syege Perillous, and he shall wynne the Sancgreal. '" 

This seat was made by Merlin. Cf. Bk. xiv, 2, and the prose Merlin, 
pp. 58 seq. Cf. also Tennyson : 

In our great hall there stood a vacant chair, 

Fashioned by Merlin ere he past away, 

And carven with strange figures ; and in and out 

The figures, like a serpent, ran a scroll 

Of letters in a tongue no man could read. 

And Merlin call'd it " The Siege perilous," 

Perilous for good and ill; " for there," he said, 

" No man could sit but he should lose himself." ■■ 

The Holy Grail. 

See also the prose Merlin, p. 63. 

We might infer from the passage in our text, 88 5, that Galahad had 
never before sat in the Sege Perillous, but at the end of 15k. xii, 14, we 
read : " And so the kynge and all the court were glad that Syre Palo- 
mydes w^as crystened ; and at the same feeste in came Galahad and sat 
in the Sege Perillous." 

84 31. your old custonime. Cf. Morte Darthur, vii, i : " Soo ever 
the kyng hadde a custom that at the feest of Pentecost in especial 
afore other feestes in the yere he wold not goo that daye to mete untyl 



Bk. XIII, Cap. IV.] NOTES. 275 

he had herd or sene of a grete merveylle." Cf. also Sir Gawayne and 
the Green Knight, 11. 85-95, and Child's Ballads, ii, 257. 

85 26. longed. The ending -ed is a rare variant for -eth. Cf. 120 l, 
and Baldwin, 177. 

85 30. Sancgreal, that is called the hooly vessel. For the various 
interpretations of the Grail in the romances and elsewhere, see Nutt's 
Studies, Index ii, and Rhys's Studies, ch. xiii, The Origin of the Holy 
Grail. In the Introduction to Joseph of Arimathie (E. E. T. S.), pp. 
xxxvi-xl, Skeat reviews the various etymologies proposed for the word. 
Malory's own explanation is that the Grail is " the holy disshe wherein 
I ete the lambe on Sherthursdaye." 159 31. 

86 7. he myghte not stere it. Cf. 22 10. 

86 10. shalle louche yoiu soo sore. Note the fulfillment of this 
prophecy, pp. 121, 122. 

87 3. good old man and an ancient. Cf. 15 7. 

87 11. kynges lygnage. Galahad was grandson of King Pelles (or 
Pellam), who was descended from Joseph of Armathye. 

87 12. Abarmathie. This form occurs but once in the Morte Dar- 
thttr,yQ\.\\. appears several times in the prose Merlin, y^. 23, 59,61,- 
326, 502. The emendation in the footnote, p. 87, is therefore not 
really obligatory. 

87 20. Syr, foloiveth me. For other examples of the plural form of 
the imperative with a singular subject, see Baldwin, 182. Instances 
are not rare in Chaucer. Cf. 

Ye been our lord, doth with your owene thing 
Right as yow list ; axeth no reed at me. 

Canterbury Tales, E, 11. 652, 653. 

In these cases the plural form appears to be used to indicate respect. 
A person of sufficient importance to be addressed as ye is, by the use of 
the plural imperative, deferentially commanded to do something. Our 
modern practice of addressing anybody as you has made such a dis- 
tinction no longer possible. 

87 30. Pete here ^=^VQ.c\iQ\xx. The presence of the t affords an 
interesting proof of the old pronunciation of French ch. Cf. Skeat's 
Eng. Etym., series ii, pp. 11-13. 

88 5. merveylled gretely . . . that he dzirst sytte there. Cf. the 
unfortunate experience of Moys in Lonelich's Holy Grail (E. E. T. S.), 
ch. 48. In Libcaus Descomis, 11. 1903 seq., the hero enters an enchanted 
castle and seats himself on the empty throne. Immediately there is an 
earthquake, and the hall begins to fall in ruins. 



276 NOTES. [Bk. XIII, Cap. IV. 

88 7. al only = simply, merely. Cf . Morris and Skeat's Specimens 
of Early Eng., ii, 165 15, 273 3. 

88 8. This he. The modern reader naturally supplies is after This. 
Yet this {=^ this is) occurs in Chaucer's Troilns, ii, 363 ; iii, 936 ; v, 
151, etc. (ed. vSkeat), and even in the writers of the i6th century. 

88 9. bi(t he were mescheved. The repetition of but he in Caxton's 
text may be intentional. In that case the meaning is : " Nobody but 
him ever sat in that seat without injury." Yet if we suppose the repe- 
tition to be a blunder, we may read: " For there (^in that seat) sat 
never none [till now] but [= unless] he were mescheved." In either 
case we come to about the same conclusion. Cf. passage quoted in 
note to 84 14. 

88 20. by enchauntement. See the whole story, Morte Darthur, xi, 
2, 3. Cf. Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 55, 1. 499. 

88 30. worshippe us alle= honor us all. Cf. English Book of Com- 
mon Prayer : " With my body 1 thee worship " ; and Trench, Eng. East 
and Present, p. 305 (ed. 1889). 

89 2. ///^?/= that which. 
89 17. /= Galahad. 

89 23. dolor Otis stroke. Cf. p. 73. 

89 25. tyl I hele hym. Cf. p. 160. 

90 4. who shold saye soo now=^\i any one were to say so now. 

90 14. Nacyen the heremyte. Cf. 128 2. For a commentary on our 
text, note the descent of Launcelot from Nasciens as given in Lonelich's 
Holy Grail, ch. 39, 11. 212 seq. ; 46, II. 503 seq. Important, too, are 
Nutt's Summaries. See Studies, Index i, and Rhys's Studies, pp. 321, 
322. 

91 5. dyd on. The modern verb don is simply do + 07i ; doff= 
do + off. 

91 27. viij degree. In Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 39, the gene- 
alogy of Nasciens after Celidoyne is: i. Narpus ; 2. Nasciens; 3. 
Elyan the Crete (Alains Ii Gros) ; 4. Ysayes ; 5. Jonaanz ; 6. Lawn- 
celoz; 7. Bans (Bans); 8. Lawncelot ; 9. Galath (Galahad). 

92 2. sette iox sat. Cf. Baldwin, t 55. 

92 4. they herde crakynge and cryenge of thonder. Tennyson's 
paraphrase of this passage is very close : 

Then on a summer night it came to pass, 
While the great banquet lay along the hall, 
That Galahad would sit down in Merlin's chair. 

And all at once, as there we sat, we heard 
A cracking and a riving of the roofs, 



Bk. XIII, Cap. VIIT.] NOTES. 211 

And rending, and a blast, and overhead 

Thunder, and in the thunder was a cry. 

And in the blast there smote along the hall 

A beam of light seven times more clear than day ; 

And down the long beam stole the Holy Grail, 

All over cover'd with a luminous cloud, 

And none might see who bare it, and it past. 

But every knight beiield his fellow's face 

As in a glory, and all the knights arose, 

And staring each at other like dumb men 

Stood, till I found a voice and sware a vow. 

The Holy Grail. 
92 6. mycides. Cf. 58 12. 

92 6. beatime. The insertion of the u appears to have been a mere 
slip. 

92 17. every knyght had suche metes and drynkes as he best loved. 
In Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 42, 11. 364 seq., twelve small loaves put 
into the holy vessel furnish more food than is needed for five hundred 
persons. Cf. also ch. 48, 11. 357 seq. ; 50, 11. 503 seq. 

Celtic parallels are cited by Nutt, Studies, pp. 184, 185. For instance, 
in " The Battle of Magh Rath, a semi-historical romance relating to events 
which took place in the 7th century," and ascribed " to the latter half of 
the 1 2th century," it is related "how the sons of the King of Alba 
sought to obtain from their father the ' Caire Ainsicen ' so called, 
because ' it was the caire or cauldron which was used to return his own 
proper share to each, and no party ever went away from it unsatisfied,' " 
etc. For numerous other Celtic parallels, see the important remarks 
by Rhys, Studies, pp. 306-312. 

92 32. a twelve moneth and a day. Tennyson puts the speech into 
the mouth of Percivale : 

I sware a vow before them all, that I, 
Because I had not seen the Grail, would ride 
A twelvemonth and a day in quest of it, 
Until I found and saw it, as the nun 

My sister saw it 

And Gawain sware, and louder than the rest. 

The Holy Grail. 

94 15. lady nor gentylwotnan. The forbidding of women to accom- 
pany the knights on the quest for the Grail reminds one of the regula- 
tion at the time of the third Crusade, that no one should take a woman 
with him except a washerwoman on foot. Cf. William of Newburgh, 
Hist. Angl., iii, 23, cited by Schultz, Das hdfische Leben, ii, 240. 



278 NOTES. [Bk. XIII, Cap. VIII. 

95 2. kynge Arthurs chamber. Schultz, Das hofischc Leben, i, 107, 
remarks : " Fremdenzimmer f ehlten wohl in keiner Burg ; nur wenn der 
Herr unverheirathet oder Wittwer war, liess er dem Gaste in seinem 
eigenen Schlafzimmer ein Lager bereiten." Yet in the prose Merlin, 
p. 180, we read : " Hit fill so that the kynge Loot was loigged in a faire 
halle, he and his meyne . . . and the kynge Lotte hadde do made a 
cowche in a chamber, where he and his wif lay. And Antor lay in 
myddell of the same chamber, and Kay and Arthur hadde made her 
bedde atte the chamber dore of kynge Loot, in a corner, like as asquyre 
sholde ly." 

95 10. by his visage. For the various uses of by, see Baldwin, 328. 

95 28. an honderd and fyfty. Possibly by a slip Malory gives, on 
p. 240, the number of knights of the Round Table as " C and xl," but 
in iii, i, we learn that there were in all a hundred and fifty. 

96 25. a whyte abbay. Probably a Cistercian abbey, white being the 
color of the monks' robes. 

96 29. Sir Uwayne. Another form for Owein (Owain), who plays 
a great part in Welsh legends of the Grail. Cf. Rhys, Studies, ch. iv, 
and Index ; Nutt, Studies, Index i. 

97 3. shelde. Note the repetition of the motive that we have 
become familiar with in the case of swords. Cf. 50 21, 52 15, 86 10. 
Cf. also the perilous bridge, 80 7, and the Seat Perilous, 88 9. 

97 14, 15. shelde . . . reed crosse. For an account of this shield 
and the story of Joseph having the nosebleed and marking the shield 
with his blood, see Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 54, and ch. 56, 1. 29. Cf. 
also 99 30. The symbol of the Crusaders was a red cross. Cox, The 
Crusades, p. 31. Spenser's knight has a red cross on his shield. Faery 
Queene, Bk. i, i, 2. 

97 17. hanged. For the form, see Baldwin, 133, footnote. 

97 28. and thenne. Modern usage finds the and superfluous. 

97 29. hors and all. For a description of armor for horses, see 
Schultz, Das hofische Leben, ii, roo seq. 

98 21. the dethe. Cf. the lyf, 1. 26. For other examples of this use 
of the article, see Baldwin, 94. 

99 19. Evelake. Rhys, Studies, pp. 324, 335-337, discusses Evelak's 
Celtic namesake. For his part in the Grail stories, see Nutt's Summa- 
ries, Index i. 

99 23. this two. The plural form this is rare in Malory. Cf. Bald- 
win, 61. 

102 11. he blessid hym. Crossed himself. 

102 17. a/als Crysten man. In William of Malmesbury's De Gestis 



Bk. XIII, Cap. XV.] NOTES. 279 

Regum, ii, 13, is an account, taken from the fourth book of Gregory's 
Dialogues, of a bad man who had been buried in a church and was cast 
out of the church doors by devils. In The Knight of la Tour-Landry 
(E. E. T. S.), p. 12, we read of a woman who was damned for one 
deadly sin. When buried her tomb smoked and the earth burned. 

102 '22. what betokencth alle. The ingenious and far-fetched alle- 
gorical interpretation of Scripture in most of the mediaeval homilies is 
of a piece with that in our text. Perhaps the most amusing specimens 
of such interpretation are to be found in the moralities appended to the 
tales in the Gesta Romanoruni. See the edition published by the 
E. E. T. S. 

103 21. goth. The plural form in -th maybe a survival of the older 
form. Cf. Baldwin, 179. 

104 27. my ryghtes. Cf. 79 7. 

106 22. alle this were. It is possible to regard this as a plural, as 
in the cases cited by Baldwin, 61. But more probably this is here 
singular, and the verb takes the plural of the predicate nominative ^^i/(?j. 

106 22-27. This sentence is chaotic enough according to modern 
standards, but the meaning is sufficiently clear. If we slightly change 
the beginning, the relation of the remainder is evident : " As for this 
Galahad," etc. Cf. Kellner, Eng. Syntax, 73. 

107 7. all alle. The repetition is, I suspect, not rhetorical, but a 
printer's blunder in Caxton's text. 

107 11. Castel of May dens. The geographical indications of the 
text are too vague to enable us to identify this castle. Yet there are 
several castles in Great Britain that have borne the name. Geoffrey 
of Monmouth, Hist. Reg. Brit., ii, 7, mentions Mt. Agned, " quod nunc 
Castellum Puellarum dicitur." Madden remarks in a note to Lasamon's 
Brut, 1. 2678, " that by Agned and the Castellum Puellarum, is meant 
Edinburgh." 

Another Maiden Castle is in the County of Durham, two miles east 
of the cathedral city. A Roman camp near Reeth, in the North Riding 
of Yorkshire, is called Maiden Castle. Still another is in Dorset, a 
little to the southwest of Dorchester. For Celtic parallels, see Nutt's 
Studies, ^^. 191-194. The prose Merlin mentions " Belyas, the ame- 
rouse, of maydens castell," pp. 135, 151, 212, 

107 15. The modern reader is inclined to supply when before he 
sawe ; yet if the construction is paratactic, the text really needs no 
emendation. 

108 2. defyen . . . defenden. For other plurals in -en, see Baldwin, 
177. 



280 NOTES. [Bk. XIII, Cap. XV. 

108 24. kayes. This spelling represents to the ordinary modern 
reader the current pronunciation in Caxton's day more unmistakably 
than does keyes, but keyes is the more usual form. Occasional forms 
with a are cited by Stratmann, s. v., ke^e. Of course ey and ay were 
sounded alike in the 15th century. 

108 27. abyden here our delyveraujice. The release of prisoners 
is a common exploit in the romances. Cf. Bk. vi, 11. " Thenne Syr 
Launcelot went in to the halle, and there came afore hym thre score 
ladyes and damoysels, and all kneled unto hym, and thanked God and 
hym of their delyveraunce." In the Romance of Parthenay (E. E. T. S.), 
11. 4740-4746, Geoffrey, son of Count Raymond, overcomes a giant and 
releases two hundred prisoners. Cf. also Torrent of Portyngale (E. E. 
T. S.), 11. 325 seq. 

109 4. home of ivory. Horns of ivory were highly esteemed in the 
Middle Ages, and are frequently mentioned in the romances. See 
especially the prose Merlin, p. 605. The famous Olifant of Roland 
was of ivory, and could be heard above the 60,000 horns in the army of 
Charles ! Cf. note to 1. 1059 of the Chajison de Roland, ed. Gautier ; also 
Schultz, Das hofische Leben, i, 558. 

110 3. their yonger syster. For their we should probably read her, 
unless we wish to make the crime of the seven brethren as bad as pos- 
sible. Wynkyn de Worde's ed. reads, her yojiger. 

111 11. for the love of Syr Galahad, i.e., on account of Arthur's love 
for Sir Galahad. 

111 33. Galahad is a t?iayd. Cf. 154 30 ; also Chaucer : 

I woot wel that thapostel was a mayde. 

Wife of BatJis Pro!., 1. 79. 

Crist was a mayde and shapen as a man. 

Ibid., 1. 139. 

Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 29, 11. 143-168, makes a fine distinction 
between maidenhood and virginity. 

112 4. had ye not ben so wycked, etc. The logic of this passage is 
not very clear. Cf. 1. 10, and 137 29. 

112 19. I may doo no penaunce. This feature appears in the legend 
of The Eremyte and the Outelawe, 11. no seq., published by Kaluza 
in Engl. Stud., xiv, 171-177. Professor Kittredge suggests other 
parallels in Engl. Stud., xix, 180 seq. " Since published is a M. H. G. 
version of the Knight in the Chapel (Historie von einem Ritter, wie er 
biisset), ed. by F. G. G. Schmidt in Publ. Mod. L. Assoc, xi, 258 ff." K. 

113 4. they knewe hym not. Cf. 77 8. 



Bk. XVII.] NOTES, 281 

115 3. sene afore tyme. Launcelot sees the Grail when visiting 
King Pelles, Bk. xi, 3. Malory identifies Pelles with "kynge Pescheour." 

115 14. syjien. Plurals in -en are very rare in the Morte Darthur. 
We may possibly regard the form here as a dialectical survival. Cf. 
Baldwin, 7 (b). 

116 4. more harder. Double comparatives and superlatives are 
common till the 17th century and even later. Cf. 126 5. 

117 24. beholdyng. Cf. 25 ^. 

118 1. that were me Jul lothc. For other examples of the subjunc- 
tive with protasis implied, see Baldwin, 213 (b). 

119 6., bytter. An evident misprint in Caxton's text for bytterer. 
Cf. 1. 10. Wynkyn de Worde prints bytterer. 

119 19. cursyd the tree. Cf. Matt, xki, 18-2S. 



BOOK XVII. 
I. Connecting Link. 

Book XIV has for its central figure Sir Percivale. He has 
various adventures, and is sorely tempted by the Devil, but with- 
stands the adversary. 

Book XV describes an adventure of Sir Launcelot's, and a 
vision of his which was expounded to him by a woman. 

Book XVI purports to be mainly concerned with Sir Gawain, 
but tells also of Ector, Bors, and Lionel. Gawain wearies of the 
quest of the Holy Grail, and thereupon sees a wonderful vision. 
Sir Ectbr sees one also. A hermit skilled in the interpretation of 
visions explains what they mean. Meanwhile Bors is wandering 
about the country, and in due time sees his vision. Lionel, too, 
has various adventures, does the usual amount of fighting, and 
finally meets Sir Bors. A marvellous cloud prevents an encounter. 
Bors then hears a voice bidding him leave his brother Lionel and 
go to the sea. He obeys, and finds in a ship covered with white 
samite Sir Percivale of Wales. They rejoice at the meeting and 
discourse much together. 

II. Source. 

Cf. introduction to Book XIII. Sommer's comparison of 
Book XVII with the French original is found in iii, 21 7-220. 



282 NOTES. [Bk. XVII, Cap. I. 

121 1. had rescowed PercyvaL The story of the rescue is told in 
Bk. xiv, 4. 

121 7. a wonder turnement. For similar instances of nouns used 
as adjectives, see Baldwin, 25. This very word wonder is cited fourteen 
times as an adjective in the glossary to Skeat's Chaucer. 

121 18. Ector de Marys. The brother of Launcelot ; not to be 
confused with Ector, the foster-father of Arthur. 

121 19. whyte shelde. Cf. 97 14. 

121 27. carfe the hors sholder. The form carfe ozzyyc^ only here and 
111 24 (ed. Sommer). Cf. Baldwin, 146, note. For other examples of 
the invariable genitive hors, see Baldwin, 10 (a). 

122 7. now are the wonders true. Cf. 86 10. 

122 16. that he myht lyve, and to be hole. For the construction, see 
Baldwin, 239. 

122 21. Carboneck. The name takes various shapes. The old 
Welsh form is " Caer Bannauc, written later Caer Vannawk or Vannawg, 
and it is the former we probably have in the name given by the 
romancers as Carbonek. . . . Now Carbonek was the name of the 
castle where Pelles lived and kept the Holy Grail, and Carbonek seems 
practically the same as Taliessin's Caer Pedryvan or the Banneu of 
Caer Sidi, with which we have found Pwyll Head of Hades associated, 
as well as his famous Cauldron." Rhys, Studies, pp. 304, 305. In Le 
Saint Graal (ed. Hucher), iii, 289, we read: "cis castiaus doit estre 
apeles Corbenic, et erent les letres [a une des portes] en caldeu ; et 
Corbenic vaut autant en eel langage comme fran9ois," i.e., " le saintisme 
vassel." Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 55, 11. 236 seq., translates this pas- 
sage, and makes the name of the castle mean {1. 242) " Trosoz^r \sic'\ of 
>e holy vessel." The etymology (!) is evidently based upon the 
Hebrew Corban, as is suggested by Furnivall in a footnote. 

122 .30. a gentyhvoman that se7neth hath. " This seems to be a 
confusion of two constructions : (i) 'That, it seemeth, hath need,' and 
(2) ' That seemeth to have need.' The fact that it, if inserted, would 
easily be swallowed up in the final / of that may have helped this con- 
fusion. But such confusions are certainly common enough where there 
is no such cause visible." K. 

123 6. the see the whiche ivas called Collybe. An evident misunder- 
standing of the French original. Sommer quotes (ii, 158) from Furni- 
vall's ed. of La Queste del Saint Graal, p. 179: "Si entrerent en vne 
forest qui duroit iusc'a la mer, et estoit chele forest apielee chelibe." 

123 7. at the nyghte. The article is superfluous, but is not uncom- 
mon in Middle English. Cf. the dethe, 98 21. 



Bk. XVII, Cap. III.] NOTES. 283 

123 19. the shyp where Bors and Percyval were in. Cf. Bk. xvi, 17. 

124 33. he is so pa^-fyte. He seems to refer to shyp, though O. E. 
scip is neuter. Cf. 125 13. 

125 2. mys creature, i.e., an unbeliever. Cf. myscreantes, 240 2. 
125 8. ill niyddes of the shyp was a fayr bedde. In Lonelich's Z^'b/y 

Grail, ch. 38, 11. 196 seq., we find a story very like that in our text, 
with the difference that Nasciens is alone upon the ship. Nutt's 
summary of the Queste del Saint Graal, in his '*Stndies, p. 47, runs as 
follows at this point : " They enter the ship and find a rich bed with a 
crown at its head, and at its foot a sword six inches out of the scabbard, 
its tip a stone of all the colours in the world, its handle of the bones of 
two beasts, the serpent Papagast, the fish Orteniaus ; it is covered with 
a cloth whereon is written that only the first of his line would grasp the 
sword." 

125 13. there was in hym. A lingering relic of personal gender as 
applied to lifeless objects. Cf. 124 33. 

125 14. every che of the colours hadde dyverse vertues. That stones 
have special virtues useful to man was a universal belief in the Middle 
Ages. See a full account of the matter in Les Lapidaires fran^ais dti 
moyen age, publics par Leopold Pannier, Paris, 1882. Numerous pas- 
sages in mediaeval literature refer to this belief. In the Story of St. 
Eustace, Gesta Rom. (E. E. T. S.), p. 89, we read that the knight finds a 
precious stone colored with three colors, white, red, and black. He 
takes it to a lapidary who says : " The stone has three virtues : whoever 
bears the stone shall be joyful ; if poor he shall become rich ; if he has 
lost anything he shall find it with joy." 

Other interesting references are : Gesta Rom. (E. E. T. S.), pp. 335, 
359; Ancren Riwle, p. 134; Piers Plozvman, B text, pass, ii, 14, and 
Skeat's note ; King Horn, 1. 571 ; Ward, Catalogue of Romances, i, 427 ; 
Babees Booke (E. E. T. S.), p. 257; Floris and Blatichiflur, 1. 393; 
Huon of Burdeux (E. E. T. S.), pp. 453-455; Child's Ballads, i, 201 ; 
Skeat's Chaucer, v, 386. 

125 17. Calydone. Cf. Le Saint Graal (ed. Hucher), ii, 447: " une 
maniere de serpent qui convierse en Calidoine." 

125 18. the bone. The virtues of bone are illustrated in Caxton's 
version of The Hist, of Reynard the Fox, p. 83 (Arber's reprint). The 
properties of various stones are commented upon, and then remark is 
made of a comb : " Hit was made of the bone of a clene noble beest 
named Panthera / whiche fedeth hym bytwene the grete Inde and erthly 
paradyse / . . • this panthera hath a fair boon brode and thynne / whan 
80 is that this beeste is slayn al the swete odour restid in the bone 



284 NOTES. [Bk. XVII, Cap. III. 

which can not be broken ne shal neuer rote ne be destroyed by fyre/ 
by water /ne by smytyng/hit is so hardy ty[g]ht and f aste / and yet 
it is lyght of weyght." 

125 22. Ertanax. Le Saint Graal reads : " Chil poissons a non 
Cortenans." Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 28, I. 239, has "Tortenavs." 
Cf. 125 8. 

125 27. shall never man hegrype kym. Cf. 22 10. 

126 22. aferd to be dede. The gerundive infinitive. See Baldwin, 
248, and Kellner, Blanch, and Egl., p. Ixv. 

126 34. dolorous stroke. Cf. p. 73. 

127 12. gyrdel. Magic girdles are common in mediaeval Uterature. 
In The Sowdone of Babylotte (E. E. T. S.), 11. 2303 seq., the girdle of 
Floripas preserves against hunger and thirst those who wear it. The 
same thing is referred to in Sir Feruinbras (E. E. T. S.), 11. 2390 seq. 
The girdle given to Gawain by the lady of the castle protected him from 
being slain. Sir Gawayne and the Green A'night, 11. 1S53 seq. Cf. also 
Sir Beves of Hamtoun (E. E. T. S.), p. ']']., and Kolbing's note, p. 288. 
Girdles that awaken love for the wearer have been numerous since the 
days of Homer. Cf. the cestus of Aphrodite, Iliad, xiv, 214 seq.; 
Florimel's girdle in Spenser's Faery Queene, iii, 7 ; Armida's girdle in 
T 2isso^ s Jerusalefn Delivered, etc. 

127 15. 7nore harder. " Where M[alory] has ' oughte to be more 
harder' R[oyal MS., 14 E. iii, Brit. Mus.] reads 'doit estre plus preus '; 
the adjective hard is therefore used in the sense of the French ' hardi.' " 
Sommer, iii, 218. 

127 18. none be so hardy to doo awey. Imperative subjunctive. Cf. 
Baldwin, 236 ; for the infinitive, 249. 

127 19. it oughte not be done away. Cf. 139 13 : " And wel oughte 
oure Lord be sygnefyed." 

127 27. He that shall prayse vie moost, etc. Cf. Lonelich's Holy 
Grail, ch. 28, 11. 381 seq. : 

hos that Me preiseth most here, 

Most Schal I hym fynde In 0\>er Manere, 

So that In gret Nede blamed schal he not be 

In non wise. As I telle it the. 

and to hym to whom I scholde ben Most debonayre, 

To him with most Anger I wele Kepeire. 

127 29. to whome. For the omission of the antecedent, see Bald- 
win, 1 16. 

128 1. a fourty yere. Cf. an eyg/it dayes, 1. to ; also a ten or twelve 
knyghtes, 140 7. This use of the article with numerals is very common. 



Bk. XVII, Cap. VIL] NOTES. 285 

Cf. Baldwin, 15; Kellner, Eng. Syntax, § 259; Koch, Historische Gram., 
ii, 212. 

128 3. Mordrayns. The name taken by King Evelak after he was 
baptized. For Celtic parallels, see Rhys's Studies, pp. 320-324, 342 ; 
for his part in the Grail legends, see Nutt's Studies, Index i. 

128 28. that one. For the survival of that as an article, see Bald- 
win, 91. 

129 1. sette the pecys to gyders. Cf. 157 10. This incident is 
paralleled in the story of Peredur. Cf. Rhys's Studies, p. 141. In the 
Volsunga Saga, ch. 1 5, Sigurd pieces together a broken sword. 

129 15. thou were. Cf. O. E. 5/7 ware. 

130 21. token a 7jiayden planted hit. White is the symbol of purity. 
Cf. J^ev. iii, 4 ; iv, 4 ; vii, 9, etc. 

130 29. Caytn. Sommer needlessly amends Caytn to Cayn. The 
form Caym or Cairn is very common. Cf. Skeat's note to Piers Plow- 
man (E. E. T. vS.), part iv, p. 12. 

130 31. tree, he. He evidently refers to tree, though O. E. treow is 
neuter. Cf. 124 33, 125 13. On the tree here referred to Skeat remarks : 
"This 'tree which Abel is slain under' is connected with the curious 
' Legend of the Cross,' discussed in S. Baring Gould's ' Curious Myths,' 
series ii. So also is the idea ... of the building of Solomon's ship." 
Introd. io Joseph of Arimathie (E. E. T. S.), p. xlv. 

132 4. shyp. The story is taken bodily from the Queste del Saint 
Graal. Cf. Nutt's Summary, 6'/?/r/z>j-, p. 48. For the further adventures 
of this ship, see Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 39. 

132 11. kynge Davyds suerd, your fader. Cf. " by my faders soule, 
Utherpendragon," 41 19. 

132 28. soo hyghe a thynge whiche. This use of whiche as a correla- 
tive instead of as is not common. Cf. Baldwin, 104. 

132 32. coverynge to the shyp. To =for. Cf. 134 17, 19. 

133 11. selar. A cut of a bed with a selar or canopy is given in 
Jusserand's Piers Plowman, p. 198. 

134 1. shoven in the see, and he. Malory uses in and irtto very loosely. 
The confusion of genders already noted, 124 33, 130 31, recurs here. 

134 9. at certayne=ZQrX.z.-^\\Q. Cf. Baldwin, 324, 3. 

134 29. yfojtde. Cf. O. E. gefunden, past participle of findan. 
We ^Xi^ y-htirte, 174 31 : y-sought, 187 4. 

135 2. Mever of Blood. Sommer remarks (iii, 219): "Through 
some extraordinary mistake M. has . . . ' the shethe ' was called 
J meuer of blood ' where R. reads ' et Ii fuerres a a non memoire de 
sens,' " i.e., memory of blood. 



286 NOTES. [Bk. XVII, Cap. VIII. 

135 6. and pray yow. The and here means nothing to a modern 
reader. 

135 25. aryven. From O. F. ariver. The past participle should 
properly be aryved, but the analogy of verbs of the first strong conju- 
gation, e.g. O. E. drifan, produced the strong past participle aryven. 

136 3. herd an home blowe. Cf . 76 3. 

137 11. Here was lorde erle Hernox, etc. This story parallels at 
some points that on p. 109, ante. 

137 29. never shold we have slayne so many men, etc. But cf. 
112 4. 

138 3. holdeth me. Cf. 87 20. 

138 8. the mawied kyng. Cf. 129 19. 

138 31. glas wyndowe. Glass windows were known in England 
even in Bede's time. Cf. Traill's Social England, i, 193. 

139 2. in = into. Cf. 134 1. 

139 5. astonyed. This word, which occurs in the King James ver- 
sion of the Bible, has been occasionally used down to our own time- 
Cf. N. E. D., s. V. 

139 13. oughte . . . be sygnefyed. Cf. 127 19. 

140 6. in what place. /^//a/ = whatever. Cf. Baldwin, 105. 
140 7. a ten or tzvelve. Cf. 128 1, 144 10, 230 19. 

140 12. shalle yeve this dysshe fiil of blood. Gawain, as we read in 
Lancelot du Lac, had on one occasion the alternative of giving a helmet 
full of his own blood or of fighting. He gives the blood to cure a 
wounded knight, and thus heals his brother Agravain. P. Paris, 
Romans de la Table Rojide, iii, 321-324. 

141 9. in lyke hard. Lyhe^ alike, equally. Cf. Baldwin, 334, 6. 

141 2r). which we and this castel is hers. The French reads : " Voirs 
fu, et est, qu'il a chaiens vne dame a qui nous sommes et tint chil de 
chest pais, et chis chaistians est siens, et maint autre." Cf. Sommer, 
iii, 219. 

I incline to think that Malory's singular translation is due to care- 
lessness, and is not, as Baldwin (112) supposes, "an attempt to express 
the genitive of the relative." Malory's eye was attracted by the words 
"qui nous," which he translated without considering that they were a 
part of the clause "a qui nous sommes." The French, ot course, 
expresses the "genitive of the relative." Wynkyn de Worde reads: 
" which we have." 

142 1. blood shold be her hele. Cf. 69 32. 

142 15. easyd with the best. Cf. Chaucer's esed atte beste, C. T. 
ProL, 1. 29. 



Bk. XVII, Cap. XIV.] NOTES. 287 

142 30. put me in a bote. Cf. the story of Elaine, 195 23. The 
incident points to a custom of great antiquity. Cf. Beowulf : 

At the hour that was fated 
Scyld then departed to the All-Father's keeping, 
Warlike to wend him ; away then they bare him 
To the flood of the current, his fond-loving comrades, 
As himself he had bidden, while the friend of the Scyldings 
Word-sway wielded, long did rule them. The ring-stemmed vessel, 
Bark of the atheling, lay there at anchor. 
Icy in glimmer and eager for sailing; 
The beloved leader laid they down there, 
Giver of rings, on the breast of the vessel, 
The famed by the mainmast. 

Hairs Translation, 11. 26-37. 

For other instances of burial in a ship, see Gummere's Germanic 
Origins, pp. 322-327. 

143 20. was seaced. Cf. 144 4, what was fallen. For other examples 
of this use of the auxiliary verb, see Baldwin, 264 (b). 

144 20. to gyder" IS sometimes used with reciprocal force." Bald- 
win, 132, 4. 

144 23. as hit is reherced before. This possibly refers to Bk. xv, 6, 
but not certainly. 

145 5. fonde a shyp. Cf. Launcelot's wandering ship with the one 
in which Huon of Burdeux is carried with incredible swiftness through 
the sea. Romance of H. of B. (E. E. T. S.), pp. 439 seq. 

145 8. alle thynge. The invariable form for the plural occasionally 
appears. But cf. the spyrytuel thynges, 164 2 ; to thynges, 164 14. 

145 12. to the shyps borde, i.e., at the side of the ship. 

145 16. in Mr ryght hand a wrytte. Cf. the letter in the hand of 
the dead Elayne, 196 23. 

145 20. yf ye wold aske, etc. The meaning is clear enough, but the 
sentence is a good example of the anacoluthon so common in the older 
writers. For other examples, see Kellner, Eng. Syntax, pp. 40, 
181-183. 

145 25. to playe hym. For the other reflexive verbs in Xhe Morte 
Darthur, see Baldwin, 313. 

147 18. other. For this use of other, see Baldwin, 132 (d). 

147 29. two lyons kept the e7itry. In Torrefit of Portyngale (E. E. 
T. S.), 11. 28-288, the castle of the giant is guarded by lions. The two 
chained lions that guard the entrance to the house Beautiful are familiar 
to every reader of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. 



288 NOTES. [Bk. XVII, Cap. XIV. 

Tennyson puts the following words into the mouth of Launcelot : 

I heard the shingle grinding in the surge, 

And felt the boat shock earth, and looking up, 

Behold, the enchanted towers of Carbonek, 

A castle like a rock upon a rock. 

With chasm-like portals open to the sea, 

And steps that met the breaker ! there was none 

Stood near it but a lion on each side 

That kept the entry, and the moon was full. 

Then from the boat I leapt, and up the stairs. 

There drew my sword. With siulden-flaring manes 

Those two great beasts rose upright like a man. 

Each gript a shoulder and I stood between ; 

And, when 1 would have smitten them, heard a voice, 

" Doubt not, go forward ; if thou doubt, the beasts 

Will tear thee piecemeal." Then with violence 

The sword was dash'd from out my hand and fell. 

The Holy Grail, 

148 9. ^;/ = in. For the various uses of on, see Baldwin, 339. 

148 ]3. ye . . . yonre. Cf. thee . . . thy . . . thou, 1. 12. The 
confusion of singular and plural forms in pronouns of the second per- 
son is common enough in Middle English. Cf. Kellner, Eng. Syntax, 
pp. 175, 176; Blanch, and Egl., pp. xxix, xxx. In the language of 
devotion the plural forms appear to modern taste somewhat peculiar. 

148 21. at the last, etc. Cf. Tennyson's continuation of Launcelot's 

narrative : 

At the last I reach'd a door, 
A light was in the crannies, and I heard, 
" Glory and joy and honour to our Lord 
And to the Holy vessel of the Grail." 
Then in my madness I essay' d the door ; 
It gave; and thro' a stormy glare, a heat 
As from a seventimes-heated furnace, I, 
Blasted and burnt, and blinded as I was, 
With such a fierceness that 1 swoon'd away — 
O, yet methought I saw the Holy Grail, 
All pall'd in crimson samite, and around 
Great angels, awful shapes, and wings and eyes. 
And but for all my madness and my sin. 
And then my swooning, I had sworn 1 saw 
That which 1 saw, but what 1 saw was veil'd 
And cover'd ; and this Quest was not for me. 

T/ie Holy Grail. 



Bk. XVII, Cap. XVIT.] NOTES. 289 

149 12. sawe a table of sylver, etc. King Alphasan, in Lonelich's 
Holy Grail, ch. 55, 11. 280 seq., has a vision of the Grail, agreeing in 
many details with that in our text. 

149 14. ivherof one. Note the use of wherof msX&zA of the genitive 
of the relative pronoun. Cf. Baldwin, 112. 

149 34. he felle to the erthe, etc. Cf. the fate of Launcelot on seeing 
the Grail with that of Mordreins, who disregards the voice telling him 
to come no nea.rer to the Grail, and thereby loses his strength and his 
sight. Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 46, 11. 239 seq. 

150 8. were arysen. Cf. was seaced, 143 20 ; also was so befalle, 
152 15 ; but cf. had befallen, 154 12. 

150 23. a/j-^ = just as. Cf. 151 6, and N. E. D., s. v. 
150 26. zvhy have ye awaked me ? Cf. 237 15. 

150 28. who . . . that. For the construction, see Baldwin, 104 (a). 

151 11. hayre = h2iU shirt. Cf. 11. 20, 27. The word in this sense 
is common. See Stratmann-Bradley's Middle Eng. Diet. ; Skeat's 
Chaucer, Gloss. ; Skeat's Piers Flowtnaji, Gloss., etc. 

151 30. they knewe hyin that he was. Cf. " I know thee who thou 
art," Luke, iv, 34. 

152 8. doughter tvas dede. She was Perceval's sister, 

152 13. at kynge Pelles. Cf. Baldwin, 324, 2. 

153 6. and thenne. A modern writer would suppress the and. 

153 9. oure dremes. For an account of these and their interpreta- 
tion, see Bk. xvi, 1-5. 

153 10. 1nyghte■==Q.o^3\A go. 

153 19. whyte abbay. Probably an abbey of Cistercian monks, who 
wore a white habit. For an account of the hospitality extended to 
strangers by monasteries in the Middle Ages, see Traill's Social Eng- 
land, i, 218, 219, 385. Schultz, Das hofische Leben, i, 519, remarks: 
" Die Kloster gewahrten wohl dem Reisenden Gastfreundschaft, aber 
das Halten eines Wirthshauses war ihnen ausdriicklich untersagt." 
His further remarks on the reception and entertainment of guests at 
inns, castles, etc., are worth reading. Jusserand's comments on mon- 
asteries and inns, English Wayfaring Life in the Fo2irteenth Centiny, 
l)p. 126-137, are interesting. 

153 23. Here lyeth kynge Bagdemagus. Singularly enough, king 
Bagdemagus appears alive and well in Bk. xx, 19. This affords another 
striking illustration of the difficulty Malory found in attempting to com- 
bine in one harmonious whole the materials which he drew from 
different sources. 

154 1. the adventure of the tonibes. See p. 102, atite. 



290 NOTES. [Bk. XVII, Cap. XVII. 

154 2. whyte s held with the reedcrosse. Cf. 97 14. 

154 12. had befallen. Cf. 150 8. 

154 26. blynd. Cf. 149 34. 

154 26. of long tyme. (9/= from or possibly during. For the 
great variety of senses in which of\'s, used by Malory, see Baldwin, 338. 

154 30. vyrgyn. Cf. "These are they which were not defiled with 
women ; for they are virgins," Rev. xiv, 4 ; " Galahad is a mayd," 
111 33. 

154 31. the lyly, in whome. This use of -whome, referring to an ante- 
cedent without life, is not common. 

155 5. Thenne . . . thenne = when . . . then. Cf. the O. E. cor- 
relatives 'Sa . . . '5a. 

155 12. departede. The terminal -e is perhaps not to be regarded as 
a survival of the O. E. preterite ending -ede, but rather as a mere slip. 

155 19. for = 2.%. 

156 20. mette at travejs. The N. E. D. defines at travej-s as " A. 
adv. Crosswise, sidewise. B. prep. Across," and cites three examples 
of its use. Here the meaning appears to be that Bors was riding in a 
direction at right angles to that of Galahad. 

157 2. Elyazar under the name of Elizer appears frequently in the 
prose Merlin. See pp. 521-590. 

157 10. sette hem to gyders. Cf. 129 1. In Lonelich's Holy Grail, 
ch. 49, 11. 392 seq., is an account of the sword that wounds Joseph and 
is then broken. The pieces are not to be joined till the coming of the 
one who shall end the adventures of the Holy Grail. 

157 24. sawe knyghtes al armed came in. The relative pronoun is 
omitted before came. Cf. Baldwin, 115. 

157 32. bed of tree, i.e., of wood. Cf. Chaucer, " He hath nat every 
vessel al of gold, somme been of tree. Wife of BatJi's Prol., 1. 100. 
Cf. also the adjective treejt, which continued to be used till late in the 
17th century. 

158 20. Sarras. Says Rhys, Studies, pp. 396, 397 : " We are by no 
means certain that Sarras may not likewise be a form of the Welsh 
GwaJias, more distorted than in the case of Ganys. ... It is clear that 
Gwanas was one of the most remarkable burial-places known to Welsh 
tradition. On the other hand, the importance of Sarras is very mani- 
fest in the pages of Malory, who speaks of it as the City of Sarras, pos- 
sessed of a ' spyrytual place,' wherein were buried Galahad, together 
with Perceval and his sister." Rhys's suggestion has only the value 
of a mere conjecture. He naturally makes nothing of the reference to 
Babyloyne, 165 16. 



Bk. XVII, Cap. XXI.] NOTES. 291 

158 26. a spo'e whtche bled merveillously. This spear was identi- 
fied with the spear which pierced the side of Jesus on the cross. Accord- 
ing to Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire^ ch. Iviii, this was 
found at the taking of Antioch in 109S. For the importance of the 
spear in the Grail legends, see Nutt's Studies, Index i, ii {Lance). 

159 3. at the lyftynge zip,\.e., at the elevation of the host for the 
adoration of the worshipers. 

159 4. and the vysage. Note the use of and the in place of and his, 
which is rare, Cf. Baldwin, 57. 

159 16. sawe a man come oiite of the holy vessel. Rh)S, Studies, 
p. 327, compares this with the issuing of the three muses from the 
tripod of the oracle in ancient Hellas ; but this seems to be a rather 
fanciful parallel. 

159 27. they thoughte it soo szvete. Note the personal rather than 
the impersonal construction in they thoughte. 

159 31. the holy dysshe. Cf. 85 30. 

159 32. Sherthnrsday. " Shere Thursday is the Thursday before 
Easter, and is so called, says an old homily, 'for that in old Fathers' 
days the people would that day shere theyr hedes and clypp theyr 
berdes, and pool theyr heedes, and so make them honest ayenst Easter 
day.' It was also called Maundy Thursday." Brand's Pop. Antiq. 
(ed. Ellis), i, 142-150. A number of interesting customs belonging to 
the day are there described. 

160 2-5. it shalle departe . . . for he is not served, etc. For other 
instances of confusion in the gender of the pronouns, see Baldwin, 

59- 

160 5. to his ryghte. 71? = according to. 

160 12. of the blood. A partitive construction. Cf. " of hem of 
the Round Table," 161 11. Cf. also Chaucer's " Of smale houndes had 
she." Prol. to C. T., 1. 146. 

160 22. blood. The healing power attributed to blood has been dis- 
cussed in 69 32. In the case before us in this passage the blood has a 
peculiar sanctity, and hence a curative power surpassing that in the 
instances before noted. 

160 25. /z^/^ = whole. Cf. O. E. hdl. "At the beginning of the 
sixteenth century a habit arose of prefixing w to h when the vowel o 
followed it in certain words. Thus M. E. //c?^/ became w//^/^." Skeat, 
Prin. of Eng. Etym., series i, p. 377. 

160 27. to the world t£/^r(/= toward the world. Cf. "to the deth 
ward," 42 7. 

161 11. of hem of the Round Table. Cf. 160 12. 



292 NOTES. [Bk. XVII, Cap. XXI. 

161 22. at what tyme-=2X whatever time, whenever. That, 1. 23, is 
redundant. 

162 22. knyghtes nierveyls. Merveyls may be construed as a noun, 
but probably it should be regarded as an adjective contracted from 
merveyllous. 

163 2. Sancgreal, thorow whoos grace. Cf. " the lyly, in whome," 
154 31. 

163 21. M^ j^//" fl'ajj'^ = the same day. 

164 4. //z^/ ///a/ = that which = what. 
164 9. w//i//=who. 

164 22. refuefubre of. 6>/"= concerning. As here used it is almost 
an expletive. 

164 25. angels bare his soule up to heven. This notion was popular 
in the Middle Ages, particularly in saints' lives. Launcelot's soul is 
carried by angels to heaven. Cf. 237 20. In Lonelich's Holy Grail, 
ch. 15, 1. 670, three angels bear Salustine's soul to God. Bede tells a 
similar story of St. Earcongota, Hist. EccL, iii, 8, and of St. Chad, iv, 3. 

In the legend of Juliana (E. E. T. S., Orig. Series li), p. 76, her body 
is borne to heaven by angels with a song. Stories differing in detail, 
but agreeing in the main incident, are related of St. Guthlac {Exeter 
Book, ed. Gollancz), 1. 1305; of St. Edith, Women Saints (E. E. T. S., 
Orig. Series Ixxxvi), p. 103; of St. Martin, Early South Eng. Legendary 
(E. E. T. S., Orig. Series Ixxxvii), p. 456 ; of Mary Magdalene, ibid., pp. 
478-480 ; of St. Werburge, Bradshaw's Life of St. W. (E. E. T. S., Orig. 
Series Ixxxviii), 11. 3089-31 18 ; of Richard Rolle of Hampole, who was 
carried to heaven in a chariot of fire. See Latin verses (E. E. T. S., 
Orig. Series xx), p. xxxii ; of St. Katherine, whose " body was borne xij 
iurneys longe upon the mount Synay by the aungeles of heuen, where 
as her blessed bodi yeldithe oyle vnto this daye," La Toiir-Landry 
(E. E. T. S., Orig. Series xxxiii), p. 1 17 ; of Roland, Chanson de Roland, 
1. 2395. This motive appears twice in The Eremite and the Outlawe, 
Engl. Stud., xiv, 171 seq. Cf. also the Vision of St. Paul, Ward, 
Catalogue of Romances, ii, 403, 411. Lastly we note the famous picture 
of Judgment Day, in the Campo Santo at Pisa, where the good angels 
contend with the bad for the possession of souls. 

165 3. ?« = into. 

165 14. spyrytiieltees. For this and similar plurals, see Baldwin, 14 (a). 

165 25. cronycle of. For this use of of, see Baldwin, 338, 9. 

166 2. by me, i.e., through me. 

166 12. (///'<? = at, not to be confused with Chaucer's «//(? = at the. 
166 13. whyles. The rare form whyles-t, 1. 16, with added /, shows 
the modern form in process of making. 



Bk. XVIII.] 



NOTES. 



293 



BOOK XVIII. 

I. Connecting Link. 

The connection between Book XVII and Book XVIII, chapter 
viii, is sufficiently indicated by the headings of the chapters as 
printed in Caxton's Table of Contents, p. lo. 

II. Source. 1 

In our examination of the source of the preceding books, the 
case has been so clear that a mere reference to Sommer's discus- 
sion has been sufficient. With regard to Books XVIII and XXI, 
the matter is somewhat more difficult. Book XIX is a mere 
episode in the story of Launcelot, and reproduces with character- 
istic changes the adventure of Launcelot in the cart, as related in 
Chrestien de Troyes' Roman de la Chai'i'ette and in the French 
Lancelot. The other three books, XVIII, XX, XXI, are paralleled 
in their general features by two works, the French prose Laiicelot 
and the 15th-century English poem entitled Le Morte Arthur, 
edited from the Harl. MS. 2252, by F. J. Furnivall, 1864. Minor 
differences, particularly in arrangement, occur, but there is suffi- 
cient agreement to prove that the ultimate source is the same. 

Sommer points out the general agreement in a convenient table, 
which I quote : 



M(alory) 



Book XVIII. 

[Book XIX.] 
Book XX. 
Book XXI. 



ry). 

Ch. 
Ch. 
Th 


i-viii. 
ix-xx. 
xxi— XXV. 


P(rose) L(ancelot). 

vol. iii, ff. 143^, 144'', 160-166''. 
vol. iii, ff. 144^-160''. 
? 








[vol. ii, ff. 1-23.] 

vol. iii, ff. 166-190''. 

vol. iii, ff. 190^-202. 



M. H. {Morte 
Arthur, Harl.). 



11. 1-1671. 



11. 1672-2951. 
11. 2952-3969. 



It will be observed that for chapters xxi-xxv of Book XVIII, 
P. L. or M. H. cannot be regarded as Malory's source. The 
question, however, is presented whether P. L. or M. H. can be 



i For Sommer's discussion of the source of Book XVlll, see iii, 220-332. 



294 NOTES. [Bk. XVIII. 

taken as the source of chapters i-xx. The analysis which Sommer 
gives of P. L. shows a close general agreement with Malory's 
version, yet with numerous minor variations that make probable 
the view that another French version must be assumed as the 
actual original that Malory used. Sommer remarks (iii, 229) : 
"Though M(alory) and P. L. vary in numberless points, the 
critic's eye cannot fail to distinctly recognize in P. L. the basis of 
M.'s account." The weight to be given to these variations will be 
estimated differently by different critics. In view of the proba- 
bility that a lost French version is to be assumed as the basis of 
Books XX and XXI, it seems safe to assume a lost French version 
for Book XVI II. 1 

As for the English metrical romance (M. H.), there is little or 
no reason to think that Malory used it for Book XVIII. The 
differences are of such an extent and character as to indicate that 
Malory and the author of M. H. made their versions in entire 
independence. For example, the conversation of Launcelot with 
the queen (xviii, 8) differs in important particulars from that in 
M. H., 11. 69 seq. In M., xviii, Launcelot goes to the castle of a 
baron, Bernard of Astolat ; in M. H. the name of the lord of 
Ascolot is not given, and he is called an Erie, 1. 137. In 11. 177 
seq., Elaine declares her love to Launcelot before asking him 
to wear her token. Launcelot replies to her request, M. H., 
11. 215, 216: 

" So did I neuyr no ladyes ere, 
Bot one that most hatha lovid^ me." 

In M. he says : "I doo more for youre love than ever I dyd for 
lady or damoysel." 

In M., chapter ix, Launcelot borrows only a shield ; in M. H., 1. 
174, he borrows armor and a horse. In M. H. the names of the 
sons, Lavayne and Tirre, are not given. In M., chapter ix, 
Launcelot and Lavayne lodge before the tournament with '' a riche 

1 Since writing this opinion 1 find that VVechssler, in his discussion of the 
Graal-Lancelot-Cychis, p. 36, remarks : " Sommer giebt eine sorgfaltige Ver- 
gleichung, aus der erhellt, dass Malory auch hier das selbstiindige Originalwerk 
Ubertragen hat." In a footnote he adds : " Sommer hat versaumt, diesen Schluss 
zu Ziehen." 



Bk. XVIII. Cap. VIII.] NOTES. 295 

burgeis " ; in M. H. Launcelot and one of the sons lodge with the 
young fellow's aunt. In M., chapter ix, before the tournament, 
Arthur alone recognizes Launcelot as the knight is entering his 
lodging. The king is in a garden beside the castle ; in M. H., 
11. 105, 106 : 

The kinge stode on a tour on highte 

Sir Evway[nje clepis he \>a\. tyde. 

Arthur asks him if he knows the knight. After a moment they 
both recognize him, 1. 119, 

Variations such as these can be cited without end. The con- 
clusion to which they point evidently is, that M. and M. H., as far 
as Book XVI 1 1 is concerned, are based upon a common original, 
but that two slightly differing versions served as the actual work- 
ing originals of the two translations. 

The relation of Book XXI to M. H. can best be treated in the 
introduction to Book XXI. 

167 I. Lady Daye, Assumpcyon. August 15. 

The form Lady is a " survival of the O.^^E. weak feminine genitive." 
Cf. Baldwin, 10 (d) ; Chaucer, Prol. to C T., 1. 88, \izs> lady grace. The 
older form is ladye, the e representing the genitive ending. 

167 2. a grete justes. Cf. thise jiistys, 167 \2, a.x\d that justes, 168 17, 
169 30. Thisjustys occurs 515 1 (Sommer). 

167 3. Camelot, that is, Wynchester. See 49 15. 

167 8. Angiiysshe. K\\ys, Studies, y>.22,(), \der\t\^es Anguysshe w\t)\ 
Geoffrey of Monmouth's Augtiselus or Aitguselus {Hist. Reg. Brit., ix, 
9, 17 : xi, i). Geoffrey makes him a brother of Lot and Urien. In old 
writings the names Scotland and Ireland are used more or less inter- 
changeably. 

167 9. Galahaut the haute prynce. Rhys regards the name Gala- 
had " merely as the romancers' way of reproducing the Welsh name of 
Gwalchavet or Gwalchaved. Galahad or Galaad had also the form 
Galahaut, which was frequently made into Galahalt. Malory attempts 
to distinguish them as follows : Lancelot's son, the Grail knight, is 
oftenest called by him Galahad and Galahalt, and sometimes the epithet 
is added of the haute prynce [ii, 16, 19 ; xiii, 4 ; xvii, i]. But as a rule 
this is reserved by him for Breunor's son, whom he calls Galahaut or 
Galahalt and Galahad ; he is described as lord of the country of Sur- 
luse. This second Galahad of Surluse is the Galahaut mentioned in 



^ 



296 NOTES. [Bk. XVIII, Cap. IX. 

the prose version of the Charrette as king of the Far Away Isles, and 
regarded by M. Paris as a comparatively late invention. In other 
words, these two Galahads were at first but one, namely, the knight of 
Grail celebrity, and to him alone appertained, presumably, the epithet 
of haute ox noble prince." Studies, pp. i66, 167. 

In the Scottish metrical romance of Lancelot of the Laik (E. E. T. S.) 
is a long account of the invasion of Arthur's territory by Galiot (" le 
roy de oultre les marches nomme galehault"). 

167 17. excepte at Wytsontyde. Cf. 84 6, 90, 91. 

167 24. wound, the whiche Sire Mador had gyven hym. Sir Mador 
had accused the queen of causing the death of a knight by means of 
a poisoned apple. Launcelot fights with Mador for the queen, and, by 
overcoming him, clears the queen of the charge. See Bk. xviii, 3-7. 

168 1. Astolot . . . now . . . called Gy If or d. Guildford, in Surrey, 
is an ancient town mentioned in King Alfred's will. According to 
Malory, xviii, 3, Arthur with his court had been in London. As Malory 
identifies Camelot with Winchester, his geography is very simple. He, 
of course, could hardly have made anything out of Rhys's identifica- 
tions. Rhys, Studies, p. 150, remarks : "Malory's Astolat is otherwise 
called Escalot, a name which cannot be overlooked as identical with 
that of Shalott, borne by an islet moored by lilies in the river flowing 
down to Camelot. It figures in a poem of Tennyson's," etc. In a note, 
p. 393, he observes that " the original of the name . . . was probably 
Alclut, the old Welsh name of the Rock of Dumbarton in the 
Clyde." 

168 4. ye are gretely to blame, etc. Cf. Tennyson's Elaine: 

To blame, my lord Sir Lancelot, much to blame ! 
Why go ye not to these fair jousts ? 

168 KJ. it is of late come syn ye were wyse. Cf. Tennyson's Elaine : 

Are ye so wise ? ye were not once so wise. 

169 4. dyd walke. The expletive dyd became established in the 
language in the course of the i 5th century. For a history of the con- 
struction, see Lounsbury's Hist, of the Eng. Lang. (1894), pp. 156, 438. 
For other instances in Malory, see Baldwin, 268. 

169 19- lene me a shelde. Cf. Tennyson's Elaine : 

Hereafter ye shall know me — and the shield — 
I pray you lend me one, if such you have, 
Blank, or at least with some device not mine. 



Bk. XVIII, Cap. IX.] NOTES. 297 

The d'\x\ modern English len-d is excrescent. For other examples, see 
Skeat's Eng. Etyni., series i, i, 370. 

169 20. not openly knowen. Launcelot appears disguised in Kay's 
armor, vi, 12. In Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. 52, 11. 365 seq., Orcaws 
fights in disguise, with the purpose of concealing his name and station. 
Cf. Peredur, Nutt's Studies, p. 162 ; Richard, in the romance of Richard 
Coeur de Lton, Ellis's analysis, p. 289. See also Jacobs's List of Inci- 
dents, " Disguised Hero." 

170 5. your hroders shelde. We must imagine Launcelot as turning 
to Lavayne at the word your. The shield, of cource, was Sir Tirre's. 
Cf. 169 25. 

170 10. love unto Sir Launcelot. The wooing of a man by a maid 
is a not uncommon motive in the older literature. The Middle English 
romances afford a number of parallels to our text, though not with such 
disastrous results. Medea declares her sudden love for Jason, The 
Destrzcction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 11. 449 seq. ; Rymenhild woos Horn, 
King Horn, 11. 251 seq. ; Margery, daughter of the king of Almain, 
declares her love to Richard, Ellis's analysis of Richard Cceur de Lion, 
p. 295. In Generides (E. E. T. S.), 1. 687, Clarionas makes the first 
advances, though Generides needs no urging. In William and the 
Werwolf i^. E. T. S.), 11. 876 seq., Melior is the first wooer. Other 
excellent parallels occur in Sir Ferumbras (E. E. T. S.), 11. 1408 seq.; 
in Planch, and Egl. (E. E. T. S., Extra Series Iviii), p. 79 ; in Amis and 
Amiloun, 11. 470 seq., 11. 577 seq. ; in Tristrams Saga ok Isondar (ed. 
Kolbing), clj. viii seq.; in the story of Apollonius of Tyre; in AWs 
Well that Ends Well, w'hich in turn is partly based upon the translation 
in Paynter'S Palace of Pleastire, No. 38, of Boccaccio's Decavierone, 
Third day, Nov. ix ; in the Sanskrit story of Nala ; in Sir Peves of 
HamtoJi7t (E. E. T. S.), pp. 52, 179. Kolbing, in Introd. to Sir Peves, 
part iii, p. xxxiv, quotes from Ranke's essay, Zur Gesch. der italienischen 
Poesie, this comment on the Reali di Francia : " We do not find here 
those complicated love-affairs which are the really animating element in 
other departments of fiction. Love makes its appearance, but in a very 
simple way. It always originates from the woman, being the effect of 
her hero's gi-eat deeds ; it is in most cases continued with extraordinary 
faith and chastity." Longfellow's Miles Standish will occur to every 
reader. One or two other parallels are furnished by Nutt, Studies, pp. 
135, 241. Cf. also Brandl in Paul's Grundriss, ii, i, 624 ; Engl. Stud., 

iii> 336- 

170 12. Elayne le Blank. Tennyson's '"lily maid of Astolat." 
170 13. she besoughte Syr Launcelot. Cf. Tennyson's Elaine : 



298 NOTES. [Bk. XVIII, Cap. IX. 

Suddenly flash'd on her a wild desire, 

That he should wear her favour at the tilt. 

She braved a riotous heart in asking for it. 

" Fair lord, whose name I know not — noble it is, 

I well believe, the noblest — will you wear 

My favour at this tourney ? " " Nay," said he, 

" Fair lady, since I never yet have worn 

Favour of any lady in the lists. 

Such is my wont, as those, who know me, know." 

" Yea, so," she answer'd ; " then in wearing mine 

Needs must be lesser likelihood, noble lord. 

That those who know should know you." And he turn'd 

Her counsel up and down within his mind. 

And found it true, and answer'd, " True, my child. 

Well, I will wear it : fetch it out to me : 

What is it ? " and she told him, " A red sleeve 

Broider'd witli pearls," and brought it : then he bound 

Her token on his helmet, with a smile 

Saying, " 1 never yet have done so much 

For any maiden Hving." 

170 25. a reed sieve. In Blanch, and Egl. (E. E. T. S.), p. 6i, 
Blanchardyn receives from one of the Provost's daughters a black 
sleeve to wear in his helmet; later, Eglantine gives him a crimson 
sleeve (p. 8i) for the same purpose. 

171 18. trumpets blewe, e\.c. For elaborate descriptions of tourna- 
ments, see the prose Merlin, pp. 454-461, 484-499. For the regula- 
tions adopted at tournaments, see note in Skeat's Chaucer, v, 89, and 
Schultz, Das hofische Leben, ii, 120 seq. 

171 22. Majiy tymes was Sir Gawayn rebuked. In Bk. iv, 18, 
six knights are named who at one time or another got the better of Sir 
Gawayn, — Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram, Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Perci- 
vale, Sir Pelleas, Sir Marhaus. 

172 16. Palojnydes. Cf. 35 34. 

172 20. Brandy les. For the genesis of this name, see Rhys's 
Studies, p. 309, note. 

172 24. Epynogrys. For his Celtic original, see Rhys's Studies, ^i^. 
3, 190, and Nutt's analysis of the Mabinogi of Peredur, Studies, p. 1^. 

173 22. / wote not what he. The not is an evident blunder. 
Wynkyn de Worde prints : /wote well who he. 

174 1. was . . . %vere. Note the construction according to sense. 
174 6. Galyhud . . . Galyhodyn. Rhys, Studies, p. 167, regards 

these two knights as belonging to the " Galahad family " that figures so 
largely in Malory's romance. 



Bk. XVIII, Cap. XVI.] NOTES. 299 

174 22. Sir Lavayne. When we recall that Lavayne is only ten 
years old (169 31), we must admit that he has made a good beginning. 

176 12. 1 take none force, i.e., I make no account of honor, for I 
had rather rest, etc. 

176 19. helpe me, etc. Cf. Tennyson's Elaine: 

He spoke, and vanish'd suddenly from the field 
With young Lavaine into the poplar grove. 
There from his charger down he sUd, and sat, 
Gasping to Sir Lavaine, " Draw the lance-head " : 
" Ah my sweet lord Sir Lancelot," said Lavaine, 
" I dread me, if I draw it, you will die." 
But he, " I die already with it : draw — 
Draw," — and Lavaine drew, and Sir Lancelot gave 
A marvellous great shriek and ghastly groan. 
And half his blood burst forth, and down he sank 
For the pure pain, and wholly swoon'd away. 

176 20. were. For this subjunctive, cf. 177 2, and Baldwin, 223. 

176 28. [he'\. The pronoun is inserted merely for the modern 
reader. The omission is exceedingly common in Malory's pages. 

177 20. Faire sane. This from a boy of ten ! 

181 6. traders Syr Tyrreis. Ordinarily the appositive genitive does 
not have the sign of the genitive. No exact parallel to this construc- 
tion occurs in our selections. 

181 13. caas. Shields carried out of doors were usually covered 
with a case in inclement weather, in order to protect the surface. Pro- 
tection would also be needed for a shield kept in a damp mediaeval 
castle. 

181 28. Note the accumulation of negatives for emphasis. Cf. 
Chaucer's portrait of the Knight : 

He never yet no vileinye ne sayde 

In al his lyf, un-to no maner wight. 

C. r., ProL, 11. 70, 71- 

181 31. is in a grete adventure, i.e., is in great danger of not coming 
to pass on account of Launcelot's wound. 

184 14. pleasyd. Present indicative, third singular. Cf. longed, 
85 26. 

184 16. in lyke moche, equally well. 

185 8. brynge her to me. The emendation suggested in the foot- 
note, p. 185, is the reading of Wynkyn de Worde, her to hym. 

186 20. / drede me. A survival of an O. E. construction. 



300 NOTES. [Bk. XVIII, Cap. XVII. 

188 12. Al-halowmasse day. November i . 

188 25. herbes for . . . a bayne. In Sir Eglafuour, 11. 526-530 
{The Thornton Romances), we read of a bath with herbs. Curious 
information about herbs for a bath is found in The Babees Book (E. E. 
T. S.), pp. 182-185, and notes ; also p. 209. Cf. also Schultz, Das 
hdfische Leben, i, 200-204, where the medical skill of women in the 
Middle Ages is discussed. Kolbing touches on the same matter in a 
note to Sir Bevis of Hamtoun (E. E. T. S.), p. 252. 

189 7. buttom. This word may be a printer's blunder for bottom or 
button. The general meaning is clear enough in either case. If button 
is the true reading, we have a parallel in a quotation in the N. E. Z>., 
s. v., for the year 1603 : " The clots or buttons of bloud in the garden 
[of Gethsemane]." 

191 7. every knyghte . . . that were there. Construction according 
to sense. 

191 13. Surluse. Identified by Rhys, 6V«(/z>j, pp. 353, 354, with the 
Scilly Isles. 

192 12. gentyl Knyghte, etc. Observe the striking parallel in the 
portrait of the Knight in Chaucer's Cant. Tales, Prol., 11. 45, 46, 68-72 : 

he loved chivalrye, 
Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisye. 



And though that he were worthy, he was wys, 
And of his port as nieke as is a mayde. 
He never yet no vileinye ne sayde 
In al his lyf, un-to no maner wight. 
He was a verray parlit gentil knight. 

192 26-31. / wold have you to my hjtsbond, etc. Cf. Tennyson's 
Elaine : 

" Your love," she said, " your love — to be your wife." 

And Lancelot answer'd, " Had I chosen to wed, 

I had been wedded earlier, sweet Elaine : 

But now there never will be wife of mine." 

" No, no," she cried, " 1 care not to be wife, 

But to be with you still, to see your face, 

To serve you and to follow you thro' the world." 

And Lancelot answer'd 

" Full ill then should I quit your brother's love 
And your good father's kindness." 



Bk. XVIII, Cap. XX.] NOTES. 301 

192 29. wedded man. On a former occasion Launcelot had unwit- 
tingly won the love of a maiden, but he tells her : " But for to be a 
wedded man I thynke hit not. . . . And as for to say for to take my 
pleasaunce with peramours, that wylle I refuse in pryncypal for drede of 
God." Bk. vi, 10. 

193 13. lo be your owne knyghte. For this infinitive, of. 22 23. 
195 ia-35. Cf. Tennyson's Elaine: 

So when the ghostly man had come and gone, 
She with a face, bright as for sin forgiven 
Besought Lavaine to write as she devised 
A letter, word for word ; . . . . 

. Tlien he wrote 
The letter she devised ; which being writ 
And folded, " O sweet father, tender and true, • 



lay the letter in my hand 
A little ere I die, and close the hand 
Upon it ; I shall guard it even in death. 
And when the heat is gone from out my heart, 
Then take the Httle bed on which 1 died 
For Lancelot's love, and deck it like the Queen's 
For richness, and me also like the Queen 
In all 1 have of rich, and lay me on it. 
And let there be prepared a chariot-bier 
To take me to the river, and a barge 
Be ready on the river, clothed in black. 
I go in state to court, to meet the Queen. 
There surely I shall speak for mine own self, 
And none of you can speak for me so well. 
And therefoie let our dumb old man alone 
Go with me, he can steer and row, and he 
Will guide me to that palace, to the doors." 

195 18. letter. Cf. this whole passage with that concerning Perci- 
vale's sister, p. 143. 

196 23. the quene aspyed a letter. But cf . Tennyson's Elaine : 

But Arthur spied the letter in her hand, 

Stoopt, took, brake seal, and read it ; this was all t 

" Most noble lord, Sir Lancelot of the Lake, 

I, sometime call'd the maid of Astolat, 

Come, for you left me taking no farewell, 

Hither to take my last farewell of you. 

I loved you, and my love had no return. 



302 NOTES. [Bk. XVIII. Cap. XX. 

And therefore my true love has been my death. 
And therefore to our Lady Guinevere, 
And to all other ladies I make moan. 
Pray for my soul, and yield me burial. 
Pray for my soul thou too, Sir Lancelot, 
As thou art a knight peerless." 

197 7. rnasse peny. " Euery man and childe that is buried must pay 
sumwhat for masses and diriges to be song for him, or elles they will 
accuse the dedes frendes and executours of heresie." A Supplication 
for the Beggars, about 1529 (E. E. T. S., Extra Series xiii), p. 2. A very 
extensive note on the mass-penny is found in The Lay Folk's Mass Book 
(E. E. T. S.), pp. 237 seq. 

197 16. I am ryghte hevy, etc. Cf. Tennyson's Elaine : 

Then freely spoke Sir Lancelot to them all : 
" My lord liege Arthur, and all ye that hear, 
Know that for this most gentle maiden's death 
Right heavy am I ; for good she was and true, 
But loved me with a love beyond all love 
In women, whomsoever I have known. 
Yet to be loved makes not to love again." 

197 23. Ye myght have shewed her, etc. : 

Then said the Queen 
(Sea was her wrath, yet v/orking after storm), 
" Ye might at least have done her so much grace. 
Fair lord, as would have help'd her from her death." 
He raised his head, their eyes met and hers fell. 
He adding, 

" Queen, she would not be content 
Save that I wedded her, which could not be. 
Then might she follow me thro' the world, she ask'd ; 
It could not be." 

198 3. Hit wyl be your worshyp, etc. Cf . Tennyson's Elaine : 

Arthur answerd, " O my knight, 
It will be to thy worship, as my knight. 
And mine, as head of all our Table Round, 
To see that she be buried worshipfully." 

199 n. Candybnas day. February 2. 

199 13. freyssheyst. The superlative ending -yst is very unusual 
in Malory. Cf. Baldwin, 33. 



Bk. XVIII, Cap. XXV.] NOTES. 303 

199 14. ny more. Ny is a mere variant of ne, but is rare. It may 
be here a typographical error for no. 

200 10. for the stryitge and for a bate. Some of the dogs were 
trained for the chase, and were held by the strynge or leash. Others 
were more adapted for baiting, such as bear-baiting, bull-baiting, etc. 
See the article on " Bull and Bear-Baiting," Brand's Pop. Antiq. (ed. 
Ellis), ii, 401-404. 

200 11 abated her dogge, i.e., she had nounded on her dog to attack 
the hind. 

200 19. wente to soyle, i.e., dashed into a miry place. 

200 21. wnbecast. The prefix iimbe, O. E. ymbe, was the first 
element in considerably more than a hundred words in O, E. Of these 
the only survivor in modern English is Ember-days. 

201 8. that hede. For the use of that for the, see Baldwin, 9. 

202 10. Hoivel of Bretayjie. Geoffrey of Monmouth refers several 
vimes to Hoel of Armorica (Brittany), who was a friend to Arthur, 
Hist. Reg. Brit., ix, 2, 1 1, 17; x, 3, 9, 10. 

204 6. Fedever. This seems to be a mere variant for Bedever, 
205 15. Yet Sommer, in his index (vol. ii, p 176), has three references 
to " Pedyuere of the strayte marches," Morte Darthicr,^)^. 210, 211, 
57S. The passages are not included in our selections. 

206 6. releved ever tmto kynge Ai-thjir, i.e., gave relief to King A. 

208 10. to helpe an other zvorshypfnl knyghte. The spirit of this 
doctrine is found in Beowulf in the O. E. poem on the Battle of Mai don, 
in the Nibehtngenlied, etc. 

208 24. May. The delight in the month of May which so many of 
the old writers express is doubtless genuine, but the terms which they 
employ are more conventional than one might at first imagine. The 
following specimen from The Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 11. 2733, 
2734, is a fair example : 

In the moneth of May, when medoes bene grene. 
And all florisshet w/t/z floures )ie fildes aboute. 

Cf. Chaucer's numerous references to May, Skeat's Chaucer, vol. i, p. 
Iv; V, 65, 71. 

209 12. used. Another instance of the -ed in the present indicative 
instead of -eth. Cf. Baldwin, 177. 

209 22. seven nyghte. A retention of the old invariable plural. 
209 28. lycours. Contraction of lycotiroiis. 

209 28. no lycours lustes were bitwene them. If Malory meant this 
passage to be taken seriously, one might ask what lycours lustes can be 



304 NOTES. [Bk. XXI. 

understood to mean. How well this passage harmonizes with the 
Morte Darthiir as a whole the reader may be left to judge. 

The pessimistic ending of Bk. xviii may be compared with a pas- 
sage in Ywaine and Gawaiji, 11. 33 seq., quoted by Kolbing in Dienor- 
dische und englische Version der Tristansage, ii, 93. 



BOOK XXI. 

I. Connecting Link. 

Book XIX is mainly taken up with an adventure that befell the 
queen, and with what grew out of it. As she is Maying one day 
with her knights of the Round Table, Sir Meliagrance falls upon 
the party with eight score men and captures them all. When 
Launcelot learns that the queen is taken, he hurries to the rescue ; 
but as his horse is killed by archers in ambush, he pushes on in a 
cart. At Launcelot's arrival, Meliagrance hastens to beg the 
queen's forgiveness. She grants it, and wins the reluctant consent 
of Launcelot to let the matter drop. That same night Launcelot 
visits the queen, but accidentally cuts his hands by wrenching out 
the bars of her window. Meliagrance thereupon charges Guene- 
ver with unfaithfulness to her lord. Launcelot plans to defend 
the queen's honor by single combat, escapes the prison into 
which he is trapped by Meliagrance, and slays the traitor on 
the appointed day. 

The remainder of the book tells chiefly of a Hungarian knight, 
Sir Urre, and his prowess at Arthur's court. The interesting fact 
is noted that Launcelot, in despite of those who ridiculed him for 
riding in a cart, rides in a chariot for a twelvemonth, w'ithout once 
being on horseback. 

Book XX shows the beginning of the end. Agravaine and 
Mordred are jealous of Launcelot, and disclose to Arthur the 
open secret of Guenever's unfaithfulness. In the night Agravaine 
and Mordred, with twelve knights of the Round Table, surprise 
Launcelot in the queen's chamber, but Mordred alone escapes 
alive, and he relates the whole affair to Arthur. Queen Guenever 
is condemned to be burnt, but Launcelot and his kinsmen rescue 
her from the fire and ride away to Joyous Gard. In the rescue of 



Bk. XXL] NOTES. 



305 



the queen, he unfortunately kills Gawain's brothers Gareth and 
Gaheris, and thus makes Gawain his enemy. Arthur, at Gawain's 
request, besieges Launcelot in Joyous Gard, and continues the 
war until the Pope charges him, upon 'pain of interdicting all Eng- 
land, to take bapk Queen Guenever, and to accord with Sir 
Launcelot. Peace is made for a time, but at length Arthur and 
Gawain renew the war. The struggle is still in progress when 
iMordred's treason compels a return to England. 

IL Source. 

The source of Book XXI has been already partly discussed 
(see introduction to Book XVIII), but not in sufficient detail to 
consider all the questions that the material suggests. Sommer 
remarks (iii, 265): "A minute examination of M.'s twenty-first 
book compared with the last ten folios of P. L. discloses many 
and great differences, but also here the ground-plan of the two 
accounts is the same, and the incidents common to both establish 
beyond doubt an intimate, though indirect, relation between the 
two versions ; this fact points out either that the sources of both 
are derived from a common source or that P. L. itself is the 
source of the French romance used by M." 

These conclusions we may grant without hesitation. But 
when Sommer goes further and urges that Malory used M. H. 
{Morte Arthur, Harl. 2252) to the extent of borrowing English 
phrases, \ve may have more question. The general outline of the 
two versions is of course the same, and the agreement in a number 
of cases extends to words and phrases. The more important pas- 
sages Sommer prints in parallel columns. The passages that he 
leaves unquoted call for no special comment, since the agreement 
is not so striking as to require explanation. In fact, most of the 
agreement in diction is easily accounted for if we assume that M. 
and M. H. are based upon a common original, or upon two 
slightly differing versions of the same original. Here and there 
the French would doubtless be identical in both versions. If now 
two independent translators, living in the same half-century and 
familiar with the same literature, undertake to translate literally 



306 



NOTES. 



[Bk. XXI. 



passages that are exactly alike in the original, the chances are 
that they will now and then hit upon the same phrases. If we 
assume this to be the case we may be surprised, not that the 
verbal agreement that we find is so great, but that it is, on the 
whole, so slight. 

From these general considerations we may pass to an examina- 
tion of the passages that Sommer quotes. I take the passages in 
the order which Sommer adopts, but for the sake of brevity I 
quote only the phrases which are substantially alike in the two 
versions, and which make most strongly for Sommer's conclusion : 



M. H. 

(1) 
3216. A monthe day of trewse moste 
ye take. 

(2) 

3187. And eueryche by A lymme hym 
caught. 

(3) 

3515. 1 wylle wende A lytelle Stownde 

In to the vale of Avelovne 



Malory. 



ye take a treatyce for a moneth day. 



& euery beest took hym by a lymme. 



For I wyl in to the vale of avylyon 



A whyle to hele me of my to hele me of my greuous wounde. 
wounde. 



3525. 



(4) 
A chapelle by-twene ij holtes 
hore. 

(5) 
3568. A-way she went, wyth ladys 
fyve. 
To Avmysbery, A nonne hyr for 
to make ; 

3573. There weryd she clothys whyte 
And blake. 



betwyxte to holtes hore af a chapel, 



etc. 



Than the quene stale aweye & v 
ladyes wyth hyr, and soo she wente to 
almesburye, & there she let make hir 
self a Nonne, & ware whyte clothes 
and blacke. 



These passages are evidently based upon a common original. 
The verbal resemblance is really shght, except in detached words. 
The phrase "a monthe day" in (i) is a common expression for 
time. The agreement in (2) and in (3) is exactly what we might 



Bk. XXL] 



NOTES. 



307 



expect in a hundred independent translations of the original of 
passages so simple. The agreement in (4) appears surprising 
chiefly because the words ''holtes hore" are now rarely used. In 
the 15th century they were exceedingly common. Nothing in (5) 
calls for special comment except the words "ware whyte clothes 
and blacke." Here is almost literal agreement; yet the thought 
is so simple that the expression could hardly be different if the 
idea were to be expressed at all. 

The second group of passages quoted by Sommer (iii, 271) 
affords no more difficulty than the first group : 



M. H. 

(6) 

3626. Thiyse she swownyd swiftely 
there. 

(7) 
3654. I-sette I am In suche A place, 
my sowle hele I wylle A-byde 
Telle god send me som grace. 
3658. That I may do so in thys place, 
my synns to A-mende thys ilke 

tyde, 
After to haue a syght of hys 

face 
At Domys Day on hys Ryght 
syde. 

(8) 

3661. There-fore, syr lancelot du lake 

For my loue now I the pray 

my company thow Aye for-sake, 

And to thy kingdome thow 

take thy way, 
And kepe thy Reme from werre 
And wrake. 

(9) 
3667. And take a wyffe. . 



Malory. 



she swouned thryse. 



I am sette in suche a plyte to gete 
my soule hele, & yet I truste thorugh 
goddes grace that after my deth to 
haue a syght of the blessed face of 
cryst, and at domes day to sytte on his 
ryght syde. 



Therefore syr Launcelot I requyre 
the & beseche the hertelye for al the 
loue that euer was betwyxte vs that 
thou neuer see me more in the vysage, 
& 1 comande the on goddes behalfe 
that thou forsake my companye & to 
thy kyngdom thou torne ageyn & kepe 
wel thy royame from warre and wrake. 

there take the a wyf. 



3671- 



(10) 
loye And blysse. 



loye & blysse. 



308 



NOTES. 



[Bk. XXI. 



(") 
3687. " The same desteny that yow is 
dyghte 
I wille Resseyve in som house 

bolde 
To plese here- After god AU- 
myght ; 
3690. To plese god Alle that I maye 
I shalle here-After do niyne 

entente, 
And euyr for yow specyAlly 

pray, 
While god wylle me lyffe 
lente." 

(12) 

3714-. "nay," sayd the quene, "that 
wylle 1 not." 

(13) 
3853. hyt ys hot hevynesse of yower 
blode. 

(14) 
3879. A-gaynste hym openyd the gatys 
of hevyn. 

3884. Syr lancelot eylythe no thynge 
but gode. 



but the same deystenye that ye haue 
taken you to I wyl take me vnto for to 
plese Ihesu, & euer for you 1 cast me 
specially to praye, etc. 



Nay sayd the quene that shal I neuer 



do. 



It is but heuynesse of your blood. 



& the yates of heuen opened ayenst 
hym. 

syr Launcelot ayleth no thynge but 
good. 



On the second group Sommer remarks (iii, 271) that Malory 
"in many cases servilely copies the words and phrases of M. H." 
The real truth probably is that both M. and M. H. copy closely 
the same French original. The agreement in (6) calls for no 
comment. The latter portion of (7) is a pious formula that 
appears with slight variation in a great number of religious writ- 
ings in the Middle Ages. No proof of borrowing appears in 
what is here quoted. The resemblance in the first part is explained 
by assuming the same French original for M. and M. H. This 
last remark applies in general to all the passages that follow, but 
a word of comment may be necessary. In (8) the phrase " werre 
And wrake " seems convincing for Sommer's theory, but this very 



Bk. XXI.] NOTES. 309 

phrase occurs in "A Poem on the Times of Edward II," cited 
in Stratmann-Bradley. Furthermore, it belongs to the group of 
alliterative formulas which were very common in the Middle Ages, 
and served as conventional expressions for certain ideas. The 
phrase " loye And blysse " in (lo) occurs in Chaucer's Canterbury 
Tales ^ B 1119, and is one of the common mediaeval formulas. 
In (ri) the principal words in common are desteny, plese^ specy- 
Ally, pray. All of these words are of French origin and might 
easily be transferred from French to English by two independent 
translators. The passages from (12) to (15) are much alike in 
M. H. and in M., but when we consider that they are all short, 
and so simple that almost the only variation could be in diction, 
we must hold that more proof is needed before we yield our 
assent to Sommer's view. Parallel passages of one sort and 
another may be collected by the score from mediaeval pieces that 
were produced by independent writers drawing upon a common 
stock of French originals. Such parallel passages have been 
collected by Kolbing, Zupitza, Kaluza, and others in great 
numbers. 

In order to show how misleading is the argument that slight 
verbal agreement is a proof of actual borrowing by one mediaeval 
writer from another, I place in parallel columns passages taken 
from the English prose Merlin (E. E. T. S.) and from Lonelich's 
verse romance of Merlm, of which only a small part has been 
published. In my discussion ^ of the two versions (pp. Ixii-lxix), 
I have shown that they were made by two independent translators, 
working upon slightly different MSS. Yet here and there in the 
midst of passages differing very widely in diction appears a line 
or two almost identical in the two versions. We cannot suppose 
that if one translator borrowed from the other he would have been 
content to take so little, and we must believe that the occasional 
agreement is due to the substantial identity of the French originals 
and the simplicity of the thought, which practically compelled 
verbal agreement : 

1 Shortly to be published by the E. E. T. S. 



310 NOTES. [Bk. XXI, Cap. I. 

English Prose Merlin. Lonelich's Merlin. 

" That shall I telle the," quod mer- " That schal I the telle," quod Mer- 

lin (p. 32). lyne (f. 97 b). 

He ycleped hym maister, for that he and Maister he clepid him for this 

was maister to his moder (p. 33). maner<f. For Maister to his Modir he 

was Every wher<? (f. 97 b). 

"to god I comaunde yow " (p. 33). " I comande 50W to God " (f. 97 b), 

and axed a-noon how they hadde And Axede of hem how they haddew 

spedde (p. 35). sped (f. 98 b). 

" And, sir, the peple that were ther- " Sire, this peple Clepede this vessel 

at Clepid this vessell that thei hadden The Sank Ryal o\}er ellys Seint 
in so grete grace, the Graal" (p. 59). Graal" (f. 105). 

These passages might be indefinitely multipHed, but those which 
are cited are sufficient to show that something more than occa- 
sional verbal agreement is necessary in order to prove the actual 
use by Malory of M. H. 

Much more might be urged against the proposition that Malory 
had other sources than "the French book" for the concluding 
book of Le Morte Darthur.^ Further arguments may, however, 
be deferred until more proof is presented on the other side. 

211 1. dyd do make letters, i.e., caused letters to be written. Cf. 
"make stryke," 212 22; "maad wryte wryttes," 213 6. 

211 4. bataylle wyth Syr Latincelot. The account of Mordred's 
revolt in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Hist. Reg. Brit., x, 13, and xi, i, 2, is 
much less detailed than in Malory. According to Geoffrey, Arthur had 
been fighting the Romans, and in his absence Mordred had usurped the 
throne. Essentially the same story appears in La3amon. 

211 8. /le/de a feest there xv dayes. Cf. 39 10. 

211 13. Gwenever was passyng hevy. According to Geoffrey, x, 13, 
she wickedly married Mordred. Rhys has an entire chapter on '' Gwen- 
hwyvar and her Captors," Studies, ch. iii, in which he discusses Celtic 
parallels to Geoffrey's version and others. 

1 Wechssler again confirms my independent conclusion. He remarks merely : 
"Endlich Buch XX und XXI enthalten die Mort Artur, die uns in der franzo- 
sischen Litteratur nur als Branche des Graal- und Lancelotcyckis (im Map- und im 
Robertcyclus) vorliegt. Sie ist bei der Aufnahme in diese Romanreihe stark 
gekiirzt worden. Malory hat den urspdinglichen Text iibertragen. gleichwie der 
Verfasser des in Harl, 2252 enthaltenen mittelenglischen Gedichtes. Graal- 
Lancelot'Cyclus, p. 36. 



Bk. XXI, Cap. IL] NOTES. 



311 



211 26. a myghty syege. For an elaborate account of the methods 
of conducting a medigeval siege, see Schultz, Das hofische Leben, ii, 363- 

457- , . . 

212 7. clerke, i.e., cleric, ecclesiastic. 

212 14. book, and belle, and candell. In excommunication the cere- 
mony ended by closing the book, ringing the bell, and extinguishing the 
candle. For further details, see Myrc's Instructions for Parish Priests 

(E. E. T. S.), pp. 21 seq. 

212 27. Glastynburye. Malory's Glastonbury is, of course, m Som- 
erset. Its importance in Christian legend, and particularly in the history 
of the Grail stories, is discussed by Skeat, Preface to Joseph of Ari- 
mathie (E. E. T. S.), pp. xxiii-xxviii ; Y^wW, Studies, pp. 105, 107, 220, 
223-2-5 • Zarncke,in Paul and Braune's Beitrdge/m, 304 seq. ; Rhys, 
Studies (index). An elaborate paper by G. Baist on Arthtcr und der 
Graal\n Zeitschrift filr rom. Phil., xix, 326 seq., devotes much space 

to Glastonbury. 

213 1. than to be maryed The to is inserted for the sake of clear- 
ness. Baldwin, 239, cites numerous parallels. 

213 3. for Syr Launcelot. In Sommer's reprint of Caxton, with 
the old punctuation and capitals, this passage reads : " Than came 
worde to syr Mordred that kyng Arthur had araysed the syege / For 
Syr Launcelot & he was comyng homeward wyth a grete hoost." If 
we regard For as a conjunction, we have a contradiction of the facts, 
since Gawayn and not Launcelot was coming homeward with Arthur. 
If we read Gawayn instead of Launcelot, as suggested on p. 213, we 
may retain Caxton's punctuation. If we disregard Caxton's punctua- 
tion and consider >r as a blunder for fro{ni), we get a rational mean- 
ing, and do no violence to the text. Wynkyn de Worde reads: syege 
fro syr; and that he, etc. This is doubtless the true reading. 

213 18. this Englyssh men. This as a plural is rare in Malory. 

Cf. Baldwin, 61. 

213 21. foryeten. Of the verb gete the past participial forms are 
<reten, yeten, goten. In this passage Malory is evidently glancing at the 
troubled history ^f England in his own day. Henry VI had been 
deposed by Edward IV, and yet, at the time when Malory wrote, was 
still a possibilitv to be reckoned with. In 1471, the year after Malory 
finished the Morte Darthur, Henry was actually restored to the throne 
for a time by the help of the Earl of Warwick. 

213 32. newe fangle. Chaucer uses this word several times. Cf. 

Skeat's Chaucer, v, 385. , . , j- 

214 4. to lette his owne fader to lande, i.e., to prevent his landing. 



312 NOTES. [Bk. XXI, Cap. II. 

Cf. Hamlet., i, 4, 1. 85 : "I '11 make a ghost of him that lets me." So 
also Twelfth Night, v, i, 256; Chaucer, Cante?bury Tales, F 994. For 
the syntax of to lande, see Baldwin, 246. 

215 5. of alle this am I causer. See Morte Darthur, xx, 19, 20. 

215 17. by my dayes, i.e., in my time. Cf. " by Arthures days," 
219 16 ; Baldwin, 328, 2. 

215 21. the old woimd. In Bk. xx, 21, we read: 'Than Sir 
Launcelot doubled his strokes and gaf Sir Gauwayn suche a buffet on 
the helmet that he fyl doun on his syde, and Syr Launcelot wythdrewe 
hym fro hym. ' Why withdrawest thou the .-* ' sayd Syr Gawayn, ' now 
tome ageyn, fals traytour knyght and slee me, for and thou leve me 
thus, whan I am hole I shal do batail wyth the ageyn,' " 

215 22. Benwyck. The city in which Launcelot was besieged by 
Gawayn and Arthur. Cf. 32 2. 

216 20. to receyve his Saveour. Cf. 79 5. 

216 24. within Dover Castel. According to the verse romance of 
Arthur, ed. by Furnivall (E. E. T. S., ii), 11. 587-590, Gawayn 's body 
was sent to Scotland for burial. In the very rare little treatise by the 
famous antiquary Leland, published in 1544, under the title Assertio 
inclytissimi regis Artnrii, we read: " Tuc in prouincia walliarum, quae 
Rossia vocatur inuentum est waluuini sepulcrum, qui fuit haud degener 
Arturii ex sorore nepos," fo. 7. 

216 25. the senile of hym. Cf. the colloquial "for the life of me," 
and Baldwin, 78. 

216 28. Baramdoune. Barham Down, 6 miles southeast of Canter- 
bury. " The downs extend from S. E. to N. W., along the line of 
Watling Street, and are about three miles long. Numerous barrows 
are on them, of times from early British to later Saxon, showing them 
to have been scenes of many ancient public events. King John, with 
his army of 60,000 men, encamped on them, in 1213, prior to the 
resigning of his crown. Simon de Montford assembled his troops on 
them, in the time of Henry III, to oppose the landing of Queen 
Eleanor. Queen Henrietta Maria, after her landing at Dover in 1625, 
was met on them by the flower of the English nobility." The Imperial 
Gaz. of Eng. and Wales, s. v. Barham. 

217 10. besyde Salysbury. The open country about Salisbury has 
been the scene of more than one great assembly in history and romance. 
Here " William the Conqueror in 1070 reviewed his army after his 
victories ; and it was here that he took the oath of fealty from all Eng- 
lish landholders on the completion of Domesday in 1086." Cf. the 
great gathering described in the prose A/erlin, pp. 574 seq. 



Bk. XXI, Cap. TV.] NOTES. 313 

217 11. Trynyte Sonday. The Sunday next after Whitsunday. 

217 15. Southsex . . . Estsex . . . Sotithfolke . . . N'orthfolk. 
Note the etymologies clearly indicated by the old spelling. 

217 21. dreme. Arthur's dream appears in several versions of the 
legends. That in the verse Morte Arthur, Harl. 2252, begins at 1. 3170, 
and is essentially the same as Malory's version. The one in Huchown's 
Morte Artlmre is much more detailed, and differs widely from that in 
our text. On this dream, of. Branscheid, Anglia, viii, Ajiz., p. 202. 
Dreams foreboding ill and introducing wild beasts arc not uncommon 
in mediaeval romance. In Amis and Aniiloun, 11. 10 10 seq., Amiloun 
dreams that Amis is in trouble, surrounded by wild beasts. In the 
Fragment of the Song of Roland (E. E. T. S.), 11. 77-103, Charles the 
Great dreams that he is besieging Saragossa, when Gwenlyn tries to kill 
him. Then he dreams that a boar has siezed him by the right hand 
and bit it off ; then that a leopard seizes the boar, tearing off its right 
ear. In The Fotcre Sonnes of Aymon (E. E. T. S.), part i, p. 152, an old 
knight dreams about Reynawde, son of Aymon, who sits high in a chair 
while people come and incline themselves before him. Then R. fights 
with a boar, etc. Later R.'s wife dreams that she sees a thousand 
boars come out of the wood and rend his body in pieces. 

217 27. the serpentes. We are reminded of the Scandinavian 
legends of Gunnar and of Ragnar Lodbrok, both of whom were cast 
into a pit of serpents. Cf. Oddrunar-Grdtr in Coj-p. Poet. Boreaie, vol. 
i, p. 313, and the Krdku-Mdl, ibid., vol. ii, p. 344. 

217 29. up soo doiine, i.e., upside down. In the latter phrase, side is, 
of course, a corruption of soo, itself an altered form of O. E. swd. Up 
soo dotine occurs several times in Chaucer. Cf. Skeat's ed., i, 260, 263; 
Cant. Tales, A 1377, G 625, and note ; also Palmer's Folk-Etym , s. v. 
upside-down. 

218 5. So the kynge semed, i.e., it seemed to the king. For this 
dative, see Baldwin, 20 (b). 

219 16. by Arthures dayes, i.e., during Arthur's lifetime. Cf. 215 17. 

219 23. he warned al hys hoost that, and they see, etc. Note the 
loose sequence. Cf. Baldwin, 263. 

220 9. beamous. "' An error for beamus, a Westcountry form of 
beames or bemes, the plural of beme, a trumpet, from the A. S. betne or 
byme, a trumpet." Skeat, Specimens of Eng. Lit., A.D. i^g^-ij'/g, 
p. 403. 

220 10. dressyd hem to gyders. "Arrayed themselves against each 
other." Skeat. 

220 16. eyder to other. Cf. Baldwin, 132 (c). 



314 NOTES. [Bk. XXI, Cap. IV. 

220 22. faiighte alle the lojige day. The accounts of Arthur's final 
battle are numerous and differ considerably in detail. Cf. Geoffrey of 
Monmouth, Hist. Keg. Brit., xi, 2 ; Lasamon's Brut, 11. 28,532 seq., and 
Madden's note, iii, 408 ; Huchown's Morte Arthure (E. E. T. S.), 11. 
4060-4346; Morte Arthur (Harl. 2252), etc. 

221 2. where were that traytour. For the subjunctive, see Baldwin, 
228. 

221 14. blessyd by God. Wynkyn de Worde reads be, which seems 
preferable. 

221 17. Tyde me deth, betyde me lyf, A double conditional subjunc- 
tive. Cf. Baldwin, 210 (c). 

221 24. ramie itntyl hym. Untyl is common both as a preposition 
and as a conjunctive adverb. 

221 26. foyne. Cf. Skeat's Chaucer, v, 73. 

222 4. a lytel chapel. Cf. Tennyson's Morte d'' Arthur : 

then, because his wound was deep, 
The bold Sir Bedivere uplifted him, 
Sir Bedivere, the last of all his knights, 
And bore him to a chapel nigh the field, 
A broken chancel with a broken cross 
That stood on a dark strait of barren land. 
On one side lay the ocean, and on one 
Lay a great water, and the moon was full. 

222 8. do me to 7f y/^ = make me to know. Cf. " We do you to wit 
of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia." // Cor. 
viii, T. 

222 9. betokeiies. The third singular indicative in -es is very rare in 
Malory. This instance and the form werches, 1. 22, are the only two 
examples cited by Baldwin, 177, note. 

222 12. pyllars and robbers. See remarks on the plundering of the 
dead after a mediseval battle, Schultz, Das hofische Leben, ii, 304. " Cf. 
Chaucer's Kiiighfs Tale, Skeat's ed., 1. 147." K. 

222 20. it is bcste that we brynge you. For the subjunctive, see 
Baldwin, 231. 

222 22. I may jtot=\ cannot. 

222 22. werches. Aches, lit., works. 

222 26. the one parte, and Syr Bedwere the other parte. Baldwin 
doubtfully explains this construction as partitive apposition, 22 (b), 
but also admits an adverbial construction as possible. The latter seems 
preferable. 



Bk. XXI. Cap. V.] NOTES. 315 

222 29. wyth the lyfte = with the effort of lifting. 

222 29. t/ie parte = a part. 

223 4. that. The antecedent is, of course, he. 

223 12. Therfore. Ci. Tenwy sort's Morte d' Arthur : 

" Thou therefore take my brand ExcaUbur, 
Which was my pride .... 



\ 



take ExcaUbur 

And fling him far into the middle mere ; 

Watch what thou seest, and lightly bring me word." 

223 21. precyous stones. Cf. Tennyson : 

For all the haft twinkled with diamond sparks, 
Myriads of topaz-lights, and jacinth-work 
Of subtlest jewellery. 

224 5. waters wappe and wawes wanne. Malory's admirable expres- 
sion is hardly equaled in Tennyson's lines, good as they are : 

I heard the water lapping on the crag, 
And the lo g ripple washing in the reeds. 

224 6. traytotcr, untrezve. Cf. Tennyson : 

" Ah, miserable and unkind, untrue, 
Uiiknightly, traitor-hearted." 

224 9. and wold betraye me. Cf. Tennyson : 

" Thou wouldst betray me for the precious hilt." 

224 13. / shal slee the. Cf. Tennyson : 

" But, if thou spare to fling ExcaUbur, 
I will arise and slay thee with my hands." 

The Iwithi in the text is added for the sake of the modern reader, but 
is not really necessary. Cf. Chaucer's Milleres Tale (Skeat), A 3624 : 
" His owne hand he made laddres three," and Skeat's note, v, 107 : 
" Tyrvvhitt points out the same idiom in Gower, ed. Pauli, ii, 83 : 

The craft Minerve of woUe fond 
And made cloth her oivne hond. 

And again, ibid., ii, 310: 

Thing which he said his owne mouth." 



316 NOTES. [Bk. XXI, Cap. V 

224 19. cam an arme. Cf. Tennyson : 

So flash'd and fell the brand Excalibur: 
But ere he dipt the surface, rose an arm 
Clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful, 
And caught him by the hilt, and brandish'd him 
Three times, and drew him under in the mere. 

Morte d'' Arthur. 
12A 29. a lyiyl barge. Cf. Tennyson : 

Then saw they how there hove a dusky barge 
Dark as a funeral scarf from stem to stern. 
Beneath them ; and descending they were ware 
That all the decks were dense with stately forms 
Black-stoled, black-hooded, like a dream — by these 
Three Queens with crowns of gold — and from them rose 
A cry that shiver"d to the tinghng stars. 



Then murmur'd Arthur, " Place me in the barge," 

And to the barge they came. There those three Queens 

Put forth their hands, and took the King, and wept. 

But she, that rose the tallest of them all 

And fairest, laid his head upon her lap, 

And loosed the shatter'd casque, and chafed his hands 

And call'd him by his name, complaining loud, 

And dropping bitter tears against his brow 

Striped with dark blood. 



Morte (f Arthur. 



225 11. vale of Avylyon. Cf. Tennyson 



To the island-valley of Avilion ; 
Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow, 
Nor ever wind blows loudly ; but it lies 
Deep-meadow'd, happy, fair with orchard-lawns 
And bowery hollows crown'd with summer sea 
Where I will heal me of my grievous wound. 

Morte d- Arthur. 

Few places have given rise to more discussion than Avalon. Malory 
evidently had no doubt that it was at Glastonbury. To this day the 
height behind the town bears the name Isle of Avalon. Cf. Baist. Zeit- 
schrift filr rom. Phil.., xix, 336 {Arthur mid der Graal). Yet accord- 
ing to Rhys, Studies., p. 362, " we are warranted in unmooring it [the isle] 
and attaching it to the west coast of Cornwall." Nutt, Studies, p. 223, 
remarks : " Avalon is certainly the Welsh equivalent of Ti'r-na n-Og, 



Bk. XXI, Cap. VI.] NOTES. 317 

the land of youth, the land beyond the waves, the Celtic paradise. 
When or how this Cymric myth was localised at Glastonbury we know 
not." He adds in a footnote " that at sometime in the course of the 
1 2th century the old Christian site of Glastonbury took, as it were, the 
place of the Celtic paradise, and it seems far more likely that the trans- 
formation was effected in virtue of some local tradition than wholly 
through the medium of foreign romances." Cf. also Jacobs, Celtic 
Fairy Tales, p. 244. A good part of ch. xiv, " Glastonbury and Gower," 
in Rhys's Studies is devoted to Avalon. Zimmer, in Zeitschrift filr 
franz. Sprache u. Lit., xii, 238 seq., holds that the conception of the 
Isle of Avalon was borrowed by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Hist. Reg. Brit, 
xi, 2, from Brittany, and that before his time nothing was known of it 
in Welsh literature. Piitz, ibid., xiv, 209, shares Zimmer's opinion. 
Avahm is mentioned in Marie de France's Breton lay oi Lanval,\\. 
659-661, as the place to which Lanval's fairy lover takes him. Cf. 
Kohler's note in Warnke's ed. of the Lais, p. Ixxiii. For parallels to 
Marie's story, cf. Child. Ballads, ii, 318. Avalon is described in the 
French romance of Ogier le Danois and touched upon in Drayton's 
Polyolhion, Song iii. For Sir F. Madden's views on Avalon, see note to 
Lasamon, 1. 28,590, vol. iii, pp. 409-412. See also Skeat's Specimens 
of Eng. Lit, A.D. 1^^4-1^79, p. 404- 
225 23. newe graven. Newly dug. 

225 27. / wote not verayly, etc. I do not certainly know, but as I 

infer. 

226 2. besauntes. " A gold coin first struck at Byzantium or Con- 
stantinople, and seemingly identical with the Roman solidus or aureus, 
but afterwards varying in value between the English sovereign and half- 
sovereign, or less. It was current in Europe from the 9th century, and 
in England, until superseded by the noble, a coin of Edward III." 
N. E. D.. s. v. 

226 18. wryton. This rare form occurs also 227 3, 10. 

226 24. Waste Londes. See Rhys's Studies, p. 122. 

226 24. Nynyve. This name assumed a great variety of forms in 
old MSS. The true form, according to G. Paris, Introd. to Huth 
Merlitt, p. xiv, is Ninienne. He cites a large number of variants. 
Tennyson has popularized the form Vivien, which has little old author- 
ity. A good note on the origin of the various forms is found in Rhys's 

Studies, p. 284. 

226 25. that had wedded Pelleas. He had been deeply in love with 
Ettard, but she scorned him. Then by enchantment, the Lady of the 
Lake takes away the love of Pelleas for Ettard, but, on the other hand, 



318 NOTES. [Bk. XXI, Cap. VI. 

fills her with a hopeless longing for Pelleas. This done, the Lady of 
the Lake takes him herself, and Ettard dies of grief. Morte DartJncr, 
iv, 21-24. For Celtic features in the story, see Rhys's Studies, pp. 
279 seq. 

226 31. buryellys. The O. E. birigels, birgels, byrgels, burial place, 
tomb, may have survived in a slightly changed form, the s being that of 
the singular. Cf. Baldwin, 14 (a). 

227 5. Arthur is 7wt deed. The belief that Arthur is to come again 
is merely one of a great number of similar beliefs. A king who has 
apparently died or has been overcome in battle is confidently expected 
to return at the suitable moment and lead his people to victory. The 
legend has been localized in more than one country, and hence presents 
a variety of details, but the essential elements are similar in all. 

Charles the Great was believed to be sleeping and awaiting the 
summons to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ. Harold, 
king of England, was believed to have lived long after the battle of 
Senlac. Cf. Lappenberg, Anglo-Saxon Kings, ii, 369, 370. Most 
famous, perhaps, are the legends of Kaiser Friedrich II, in Kyffhauser- 
berg (cf. Koch, Die Sage vom Kaiser Friedrich im K.), and of Holger 
the Dane, in the castle at Elsinore. 

For numerous other parallels and a discussion of the whole ques- 
tion in its relations to folk-lore and mythology, see Nutt, Studies, pp. 
196-198; Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie, ch. xxxiii ; Mannhardt, Die 
Gotterwelt der deutschen u. nordischen Volker, pp. 135-137 ; Ward, 
Catalogue of Romances, i, 217. 

The persistence of stories of this type is shown by the fact that the 
Duke of Monmouth was popularly believed to be alive even after his 
public execution. Cf. Macaulay, ,///>/. of Eng., i, 477. 

227 10. Hie iacet, etc. The same inscription is found in the verse 
romance of Arthur, 1. 624 (E. E. T. S., ii), ed. Furnivall. In the 
reign of Henry II (1189), relates Giraldus Cambrensis, in his Speculum 
Ecclesice, ii, 9, the graves of Arthur and his queen were discovered at 
Glastonbury, and an inscription which read : " Hie iacet sepultus incly- 
tus rex Arthurius, in insula Avallonia, cum Wenneuereia uxore sua 
secunda." See also Baist, Zeitschrift fiir rom. Phil., xix, 336-339. 

227 19. Almesburye. The modern Amesbury is situated a few miles 
to the north of Salisbury in Wiltshire. " A Benedictine nunnery was 
founded here by Queen Elfrida, circa 980. It subsequently increased 
in splendour and in royal favour, and became a favourite retreat for 
ladies of royal or noble birth." Murray's Handbook for Eng. and Wales. 

The accounts of Queen Guenever differ widely. Geoffrey, xi, i, 



Bk. XXI, Cap. X.] NOTES. 319 

says that after the return of Arthur, and before the great final battle, 
she fled from York to the City of Legions, where she became a nun in 
the church of Julius the Martyr. 

Tennyson's Guinevere represents the queen as fleeing to Amesbury 
when she hears that Modred has usurped the kingdom. Before the final 
battle Arthur visits her by night, delivers a touching rebuke for her 
unfaithfulness to him, and bids her farewell forever. Tennyson's version, 
however, incotporates some of Malory's details. 

228 15. thus to be oversette. Cf. Baldwin, 247. 

228 22. to slee . . . Gaheris . . . arid . . . Gareth. When Laun- 
celot rescued the queen from being burnt, he slew all who stood in his 
path. " And so in this rassynge and hurlyng, as Syre Launcelot thrange 
here and there, it my[s]happed hym to slee Gaherys and Syr Gareth 
the noble knyghte, for they were unarmed and unware. . . . How be 
it, in veray trouthe Syr Launcelot sawe hem not, and soo were they 
fonde dede among the thyckest of the prees" Morte Dart/mr, xx, 8. 

229 20. made a dole. The codicil to the will of Stephen Thomas, 
1417-19, provides that ten bushels of malt be used for brewing beer for 
poor men ; that six bushels of wheat be baked into half-penny loaves ; 
and that each man have a loaf and a gallon of ale as far as it will go. 
Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills, ed. Furnivall, p. 40. See also Brand's 
Pop. Antiq., ii, 286-289; Child's Ballads, iii, 201, 208-212; and 237 3-4 
below. 

229 29. off red an C pounde. On offerings at funerals, cf. Brand, ii, 
240, 248, 286 ; and an excellent note in The Lay Folk's Mass Book 
(E. E. T. S.), p. 242. See also 197 7, ante. 

230 17. no bote = no use. 

230 19. a vij or viij dayes. Cf. 140 7. 

230 27. yender. The form jender is found in Early Eng. Allit. 
Poems, ii, 161 7, and in Halliwell's Diet, of Arch, and Pj'OV. Words, cited 
by Stratmann-Bradley, s. v. 

231 34. herte, wylle, and thought. Baldwin, 10 (d), cites herte as a 
survival of the " O. E. weak feminine genitive." As far as the form is 
concerned, the explanation is satisfactory, and we then read hef-te wille 
= heart's will. On the other hand, we doubtless have here the common 
old division of all the powers of the mind, into feeling, will, intellect. 

232 10. heremyte other graye or whyte. Hermits constituted several 
lower religious orders in the Middle Ages, and wore distinguishing 
costumes. 

232 17. laementacyon. The ae is a mere printer's blunder for a. 

233 3. brother. The usual form in Malory is broder. 



320 NOTES. [Bk. XXI, Cap. X. 

233 21. in that maner clotkyng. A common Chaucerian construction. 

233 25. Bleoheris. Cf. Bleoboris, 1. 12. 

233 29. last. Probably a misprint for hist, desire, wish. 

233 34. holpe. The only appearance of this form in Malory. Cf. 
Baldwin, 145, 152. 

234 5. toke no force. Cared not. 

234 8. in remyssyon o/=ior the remission of. 

234 ]0. /^y thenne. By the time you arrive there, etc. 

234 12. parcuey. An evident blunder for /z/rz/^fy. 

234 IS. that ye made you redy. For the subjunctive, see Baldwin, 
231 (a). 

234 21. XXX myle. The distance by road from Glastonbury to 
Amesbury is forty-seven miles. 

234 23. was co7ne . . . deycd. For the sequence of tenses, see 
Baldwin, 262 (b). 

235 7. Dyryge. " As the first anthem at matins commenced with 
'Dirige' . . . the whole of the morning's service, including the Mass, 
came to be designated a ' Dirige ' or ' Dirge.' " Rock, Church of our 
Fathers, ii, 503. Quoted in Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills, p. 137. See also 
Skeat's note to Piers Plowman (E. E. T. S.), part iv, sec. i, p- 73 ; and 
Ward's note to Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, 2d ed., p. 179. 

235 9. torches ever brennyng. For an account of the custom of 
burning torches over a corpse, see Brand's Pop. Antiq. (ed. Ellis), ii, 
276-279. 

235 18. requyem. " In the Roman Catholic Office and Af asses for the 
Dead, 1853, the 'Requiem' (Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine et 
lux perpetua luceat eis) occurs thrice in ' The Mass for all the Faithful 
departed,' pp. 65-71." Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills, p. 137. 

235 21. Paynes. Rennes, in France, celebrated for its fine cloth. 
In the will of Lady Alice West, 1319, we find mention of "a peyre 
schetes of Reynes." Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (E. E. T. S.), p. 4. For 
other references, see Fairholt's Costume in Englajtd, ii, 343 ; Skeat's 
Chaucer, iii, 255. 

235 27. / trust, etc. Cf. Launcelot's reply with Elayne's, 194 30. 

236 1. careful, i.e., full of grief, sorrowful. For other examples, 
see N. E. D., s. v. 

236 11. dwyned. Cf. modern English dwin-d-led. 

236 19. The following rhapsody is inserted at this point in Wynkyn 
de Worde's ed. : " O ye myghty and pompous lordes shynynge in the 
glory transitory of this unstable lyf, as in regnynge over grete realmes 
and myghty grete countrees, fortyfyed with stronge castels and toures 



Bk. XXI, Cap. XII.] NOTES. 321 

edifyed with many a ryche cite ; ye also ye fyers and myghty knyghtes 
so valyaunt in adventurous dedes of armes, beholde, beholde, se how 
this myghty conquerour kynge Arthur, whome in his humayne lyfe all 
the worlde doubted ; ye also, this noble quene Guenever, whiche som- 
tyme sate in her chayre ao'ourned with golde, perles, and precyous 
stones, now lye full lowe in obscure fosse or pyt covered with cloddes 
of erth and claye. Beholde also this myghty champyon Syr Launcelot, 
pereles of knyghthode, and se now how he lyeth grovelynge upon the 
colde moulde, now beynge so feble and faynt that somtyme was so 
terryble how and in what maner ought ye to be so desyrous of worldly 
honoure so daungerous. Therfore me thynketh this present boke 
called La Mort Darthur is ryght necessary often to be radde. For in it 
shall ye fynde the moost gracyous, knyghtly, and vertuous werre of ye 
moost noble knyghtes of the world, wherby they gate praysyng zon- 
tynual. Also me semeth by ye ofte redyng therof ye shall gretely desyre 
to accustome your selfe in folowynge of those gracyous knyghtly dedes, 
that is to saye, to drede God, and to love ryghtwysnes, faythfully and 
coragyously to serve your soverayne prynce. And the more y^ God 
hath gyven you the tryumphall honoure, the meker ye ought to be, ever 
ferynge the unstableness of this deceyvable worlde. And so I passe 
over and turne agayn unto my mater." 

236 24. ryghtes that longeth. Note the plural form in -eth. Cf. 
redetk, 240 8, and Baldwin, 179. 

236 25. It shal Jtot nede you. Cf. Beda's account of Caedmon's 
death. Hist. EccL, iv, 24. 

236 29. hove. An evident blunder for have. 

236 31. howselyd and eneled. Received the eucharist and extreme 
unction. Cf. Hamlet, i, 5, yj. 

237 2. Joyous Garde. Malory elsewhere (xx, 17, 18) shows that he 
regards Joyous Garde as an English castle, for he represents Launcelot 
as leaving Joyous Garde, and passing over the sea to Benwyk. Yet he 
has no very clear idea of where the castle is. 

237 3-4. Anwyk . . . Hamborow. Alnwick Castle, the magnificent 
seat of the Percies, is in Northumberland. Wynkyn de Worde reads 
Bainhorow for Hamborow, which has no recognized existence. Bam- 
borough is on the Northumbrian coast, a number of miles to the north 
of Alnwick. A castle was erected here as early as the 6th century. 
Strachey mentions the following interesting fact : " It now contains a 
granary, hospital, and other endowments made for the poor in 17 15 by 
Lord Crewe, bishop of Durham. Did he think of his predecessor 
Launcelot, and his doles of ' flesh, fish, wine and ale, and twelvepence 



322 NOTES. [Bk. XXI, Cap. XII. 

to any man and woman, come who would .'' " Introd. to Morte Darthttr^ 
p. xviii. A third claimant for the site of Joyous Garde is Berwick-upon- 
Tweed. 

237 15. why dyd ye awake me ? Cf. 15026. Kohler gives a number 
of parallel references in his notes to Warnke's ed. of the Lais of Marie 
de France, p. cviii. , 

237 20. angellys. Cf. 164 25. 

237 27. the swettest savour. The orthodox belief in the Middle Ages 
was that the dead body of a person of evil life gave off an evil odor, while 
the body of a saint emitted a sweet perfume, the odor of sanctity. When 
the paynim Corsabryn was killed {Morte Darthur, x, 44) there " cam a 
stynke of his body whan the soule departed that there my^//t no body 
abyde the savoure." On the other hand, at the death of Guthlac, 

him of mu^e cwom. 
swecca swetast. swylce on sumeres tid 
stincaS on stowum staj^elum faeste 
wynnum aefter wongum wyrta geblowene. 

Guthlac {Exeter Book, ed. GoUancz), 11. 1272-1275. 

When Earcongota, daughter of the king of Kent, died, her body gave 
out a sweet savor. Beda, Hist. EccL, iii, 8. William of Malmesbury 
tells a similar story of Beda himself, Gesta Reg., i, 3. Of St. Frideswide 
we read that when she died, " withall forthwith the house was all 
replenished with wonderfull light sent from heauen, and such a sweete 
odoriferous sauour ensued, and that so aboundantlie, that all the towne 
was filled withall." Lives of Women Saints (E. E. T. S.), p. 82. So, 
too, of St. Walburge we read : " her holie Reliques . . . were founde 
not onelie intire, but also bedewed with a small moisture, whence issued 
a moste fragrant sauour of incredible sweetnes." Ibid., p. 86. Cf. also 
ibid., pp. 40, 91 ; Bradshaw's Life of St. Werbu7-ge (E. E. T. S.), 11. 3119- 
3125, 3382-3405; Lonelich's Holy Grail, ch. '},'], 11. 433 seq. ; Hodgkin, 
Italy and her Invaders, i, 476. 

238 5. in the body of the qtiere, i.e., in the place of honor. " The 
bier, if the deceased had been a clerk, went into the chancel ; if a layman, 
and not of high degree, the bearers set it down in the nave, hard by the 
church-door." Rock, Church of Our Fathers, ii, 472. Quoted by Skeat, 
Chaucer, v, 180. 

238 24. This famous eulogy on Launcelot does not stand alone. 
He is praised elsewhere in the Morte Darthur in similar terms. Cf. vi, 
10, where he has rescued a damsel from an assailant. She says : " The 
curteyst knyghte thou arte and mekest unto all ladyes and gentyl- 
wymmen that now lyveth." 



Bk. XXI, Cap. XIII.] NOTES. 323 

In viii, 26, Launcelot is compared with Tristram, and the virtues of 
both are enumerated. 

In ix, II, Bors remarks on Launcelot: "I dare saye and make it 
good, that all kynges Crysten nor hethen may not fynde suche a 
knyghte for to speke of his nobylnesse and curtosye with his beaute 
and his gentylnesse." 

In XV, 6, a recluse calls to Launcelot as he is riding by, and thus 
addresses him : " A, Launcelot," sayd she, " as longe as ye were 
knyghte of erthely knyghthode ye were the moost merveillous man of 
the world and moost adventurous." 

The lament over Gawayne in Huchown's Morte Arthure, 11. 3872- 
3879, is strikingly like the eulogy on Launcelot in Malory: 

" He was tho. sterynneste in stoure that exxer stele werryde, 
ff ore he has stonayede oure stale, and stroyede for eu^r 1 " 
Than sir Mordrede with mouthe melis full^ faire; 
" He was makles one molde, mane, be my trowhe ; 
This was sir Gawayne the gude, the. gladdeste of othire, 
And the graciouseste gome that vndire God lyffede, 
Mane hardyeste of hande, happyeste in armes. 
And the. hendeste in hawle vndire heuen^ riche." 

Cf. also Lancelot's lament over Gawayne in Lancelot of the Laik, 
11. 2756 seq. ; the lament of Charles over Roland in Caxton's Lyf of 
Charles the Crete, p. 240. Skeat's note to Havelok (E. E. T. S.), p. 87, 
should be compared with the foregoing remarks. Strachey quotes 
(Introd. to Morte Darthtir, p. x) : 

A braver soldier never couched lance, 
A gentler heart did never sway in court. 

Henry VI, part i, iii, 2. 

239 4. Cf. Tennyson's lines in Elaine: 

he seem'd the goodliest man 
That ever among ladies ate in hall. 

239 ]2. Costantyn . . . was chosen kyng of Englond. Cf. Geoffrey 
of Monmouth's Hist. Reg. Brit., xi, 2. 

239 29. favour of fnahers = the bias or opinion of poets. 

240 6. an C and xl. Cf. 95 28. 

240 12. the ix yere of the reygtie of kyjig Edward the Fonrth. Ed- 
ward was first recognized as king on Mar. 4, 1469. The ninth year 
would therefore be included between Mar. 3, 1469, and Mar. 3, 1470. 



GLOSSARY. 



abate, v., to hound on, to set on 

(as a dog), 200 il. 
abyde, v., to abide, await, remain, 

endure, 65 7. 
abylement, sb., dress, clothing, 

34 6. 
accompte, v., to count, calculate, 

95 27. 
accord, sb., agreement, peace, 18 16. 
ado, adoo, sb., trouble, difficulty ; 

troublesome business, 46 3. 
adrad, //., afraid, frightened, put 

in dread, 34 23, 113 19. 
afer, adv., afar, at a distance, 

143 24. 
afere, v., to frighten, terrify ; af erd, 

//., 42 2. 
affyaunce, sb., faith pledged to, 

trust, confidence, 214 27. 
afore, adv., prep., before, 77 4. 
agreve, v., to bear heavily on, to 

grieve, oppress, 25 30. 
al, adj., all, 17 13. 
al one, adj., adv., alone, 47 2. 
alaye, v., to quiet, alleviate, 158 7. 
allygeaunce, sb., alleviation, 

lightening, relief, 195 4. 
almery, sb., press, book-case, 165 

31. 
almesse, sb., alms, charity, 137 7. 
and, co7iJ., and, also, if, 18 23. 



anone, adv., at once, 16 7. 
anvylde, anvyld, sb., anvil, 22 7. 
apaye, v., pp., apayed, contented, 

pleased, 203 17. 
apeche, v., to hinder, impeach, to 

charge with crime, to cite before 

a court, 4 14. 
appele, v., to charge with a crime, 

to accuse, to appeal, 189 24. 
appertenaunce, sb., appurtenance, 

that which appertains or belongs 

to, 21 11. 
arage, v., to put in a rage, to ren- 
der furious, 150 l. 
arase, v., to pull up by the roots, 

to tear off, 209 5. 
arraunt, adj., errant, 103 20. 
arson, sb., bow of the saddle, 205 3. 
aspye, sb., spy, 185 28. 
aspye, v., to look after, to watch, 

search, observe, 18 1, 47 27. 
assaye, v., to examine, try, attack, 

43 6. 
assote, v., to dote upon somebody, 

to be deeply enamored, smitten, 

1 22. 
assoyle, v., to loosen, to absolve, 

119 30. 
at travers, adv., prep., right 

through, opposite, across {Fr. a 

travers), 156 20. See note. 



326 



GLOSSARY. 



atte, contraction of at, prep., and 
the def. art. the ; atte last, 78 3 ; 
atte hynde, 200 26. 

attones, adv., at once, instantly, 
174 16. 

aulter, sb., altar, 26 20. 

auncyent, adj., old, 87 4. 

avaylle, xb., advantage, 221 20. 

aventre, v., to put the spear along 
the side, in order to attack one's 
adversary, 77 9. 

aventure, adventure, sb., chance, 
occurrence, jeopardy, risk, ex- 
ploit, 52 5, 52 16, 104 7. See 
also N. E. D., adventure. 

avyse, v., to advise, to give ad- 
vice ; avysed, /A, 15 24. 

ayenst, ayenste, prep., conj., 
against, 3 25. 

barayne, adj., barren, 200 12. 

barbe, sb., beard, or anything re- 
sembling it ; jags or points 
which stand backward in an 
arrow, dart, or spear; barbys, 
//., 200 28. 

barget, sb., bark, boat, 195 23 
(diminutive of barge). 

baronage, sb., the men vassals of 
a feudal chief ; assembly of the 
barons, 49 19. 

batail, batayll, bataylle, -r<^., (i) a 
battle, fight, 20 21 ; (2) army, 
63 25. 

bayne, sb., bath, 188 26. 

beamous, sb. pi., trumpets, 220 9. 
See note. 

beaulte, sb., beauty, 235 31. 

beaume, sb., beam, ray of light, 92 6. 

befalle, v., to befall, happen ; be- 
tel, pt., 15 1. 



beginne, v., to begin; begonne, 

//., 2 12. 
begrype, v., to seize, to take hold 

of, 125 31. 
beholde, v., to hold, to behold ; be 

holdyng, for beholden, 25 2, 

117 24. 
behote, v., to promise, 71 1 ; be- 

hyht, //., 166 6. 
behove, v., impers. ; behoveth, 

prs., needs, 138 7. 
berde, sb., beard, 4 27. 
bere, v., to bear, 164 12 ; bare, pt., 

164 25 ; borne,//., 170 19. 
besaunt, sb., a gold coin named 

from Byzantium, 226 2. 
beseme, v., to beseem, appear, 

158 12. 
bestadde, //., hard bestead, sorely \ 

imperilled, 207 34. 
besy, adj., busy, 187 28. 
bisee, v., to look, to arrange, ap- 
point, manage ; bisene, //., 

equipped, 27 25. 
bitake, v., to commit, entrust, 

recommend, 24 22. 
bobaunce, sb., pride, vanity, splen- 
dor, pomp, 184 7. 
boote, bote, sb., remedy, help, 

amendment, 206 31. 
bote, sb., boat, 214 I6 ; boote, 

76 25. 
bott, sb., butt, the point, handle, 

40 18. 
bottlere, botteler, butlere, sb., the 

butler; Sire Lucan the Butte- 

lere, 173 10. 
bounte, sb., bounty, liberaUty, 

kindness, 155 30. 
boystous, adj., boisterous, rough, 

60 17. 



GLOSSARY. 



327 



breed, sb., bread, 159 3. 

brenne, v., to burn, 47 n. 

breste, v., to burst, 72 20 ; braste, 
pt., 98 1. 

brethe, sb.^ breath, vapor, 149 3i. 

broche, sb., brooch ; brochys, 
222 14. 

bryse, v., to crush, break, to 
wound seriously, 77 14. 

bur, sb., a broad iron ring just be- 
low the grip of a spear to pre- 
vent the hand from slipping, 
221 30. 

burbyl, v., to bubble, 200 2. 

burgeis, sb., burgess, citizen, 
171 14. 

buryellys, sb. pi., burial, 226 3i. 

but yf, conj., unless, 20 25. 

buttom, sb.., bottom or " button," 
scab of a wound, 189 7. See note. 

byheste, sb.., promise, 193 33. 

caas, sb., case, 181 13. 

cankeryd, //., corrupted, 215 6. 

cantel, sb., piece, bit, edge, 43 15. 

carve, v., to carve, cut ; carfe, pt., 
121 27. 

carryks, sb. pi., small ships, 214 3. 

cast, v., to purpose, plan, 192 29. 

caytyf, sb., adj., wretch, unfortu- 
nate, base, 186 24. 

cedle, sb., a small leaf of paper 
or parchment containing some 
writing, schedule, 215 12 ; sedyl, 
215 30. 

cered, //., waxed, 235 20. 

certes, adv., certainly, surely, 85 24. 

chaflet, sb., a small stage, platform, 
217 22. 

chappytre, chapytre, sb., chapter, 

1 17. 



charge, sb., impressive command, 
15 26. 

chauffe, v., to heat, to become 
hot ; chauffed, //., 172 31. 

chaundeler, sb., candlestick, 115 13. 

chayer, sb., chair, stool, seat, 42 11. 

chere, sb., entertainment, 15 11 ; 
countenance, face, mien, 96 18, 
117 28. 

cherete, sb., charity, love, friend- 
ship ; chyerte, 94 5. 

chese, v., to choose, 163 12. 

chorle, sb., churl, peasant, rustic, 
31 11. 

chyef , sb., adj., chief, head, upper 
part, principal, 152 15. 

chyerte, sb. See cherete. 

clene, adj., adv., clean, entirely, 
115 33. 

cloystre, sb., cloister, convent, 
monastery, 230 21. 

cofer, sb., box, coffer, 130 18. 

cole, sb., coal, charcoal, 127 27. 

comberaunce, sb., encumbrance, 
50 2. 

comyns, sb., the commons, inhabi- 
tants, citizens, 30 15. 

condesended, //., agreed, 219 18. 

conduyt, sb., conduct, guidance, 
68 15. 

coste, V. (hunting term), to keep 
in parallel course with the ani- 
mal, 200 14. 

counceille, v., to advise, 15 16. 

countray, countrey, countre, sb., 
country, 73 24, 73 27. 

coupe, sb., cup, 136 32. 

cours, sb., course, 77 12. 

covyn, sb., conspiracy, craft, de- 
ceit, 109 14. 

coyfe, sb., coif, cap ; " a close- 



328 



GLOSSARY. 



fitting skull-cap of iron or steel, 

or later of leather, worn under 

the helmet." N. E. D. s. v., 

113 9, 121 24. 
crofte, sb.^i an underground cell or 

chapel, 155 26. 
croke, e^., to bend, to turn aside ; 

croked, //., bent, 162 14. 
croppe, sb., crupper, hinder part of 

a horse, 57 21. 
cryppyl, sb., cripple, 162 22. 
curtois, adj., courteous, 52 9. 
curtoyse, curtosye, sb., courtesy, 

1 10. 

dawe, V.., to dawn, to become day, 
123 29. 

debonair, adj., mild, gentle, \Tl '^'d. 

dede, adj., dead, 19 i.'i. 

dedely, adj., mortal, 164 2. 

defaute, sb., defect, fault, 64 16. 

defence, sb., prohibition, prohibi- 
tory ordinance, 127 9. 

defende, v., to defend, protect, for- 
bid, 42 18, 108 2. 

defowle, v., to tread down, rebuke, 
defoyled, //., 50 21. 

dele, sb., part, deal, share, 17 13. 

departycyon, sb., departure, 93 18. 

dere, v., to harm, injure, 102 14. 

devoyr, sb., devoir, knightly duty, 
220 21.- 

devyse, v., to arrange, decide, 
17 32. 

disaventur, sb., misadventure, mis- 
chance, 118 4. 

dole, sb., charity, dole, share, por- 
tion, 229 20. 

dole, doole, sb., grief, pain, sorrow, 
24 24. 

domage, dommage, sb., damage, 



loss, 38 8, 56 17 ; dammage, 
44 3. 

dome, sb., doom, 147 17. 

doon, v., to do, put, make, cause ; 
dyd, //., 20 21. 

douve, sb., dove, pigeon, 83 24. 

drede, v., to fear, 186 20. 

dretchyng, sb., vexing, troubling, 
237 21. 

dure, v., to last, endure, 131 5. 

dwelle, v., to dwell, rest, remain, 
17 8. 

dwyne, v., to waste away, to pine, 
languish, 236 11. 

dyghte, v., to order, rule, prepare, 
adorn, //., 72 24. 

Dyryge, sb., name of an anthem 
in the Mass for the Dead, be- 
ginning, in Latin, with the 
words, " Dirige, Dominus 
meus," 235 7. 

echone, echon, adj., each one, 

66 10. 
efte, adv., again, 224 1. 
egrely, adv., eagerly, fiercely, 

72 18. 
emeraude, sb., emerald, 130 9. 
emonge, /r^/., among, 224 30. 
enbroudre, v., to embroider, 170 26. 
enbusshed, //., taken in ambush, 

35 10. 
enchauffe, v., to make hot, to heat, 

184 25. 
encheve, enchieve, v., to achieve, 

to perform, fulfil, 22 20. 
endelonge, ^^z^., lengthwise, 233 14. 
enele, v., to administer extreme 

unction ; enelyd, //., 236 31. 
enoynt, v., to anoint; enoynted, 

//., 17 14. 



GLOSSARY. 



329 



entente, sb., intention, heed, pur- 
pose, contents, 17 2, 197 9. 

entere, v., to inter, bury, 198 4. 

enterement, sb., interment, burial, 
66 1. 

enterpryse, emprise, enpryse, v., 
to undertake, commence, 1 8. 

entremedled, sb., intermingled, 
149 32. 

entrete, sb., treaty, 18 20. 

ermytage, sb., hermitage, 225 19. 

ermyte, sb., hermit, 44 28; ere- 
myte, 212 28. 

everyche, adj., every one, every, 
each, 47 11 ; everyche other, 
each other, 77 24. 

eyder, adj., either, 220 16. 

eye, sb., eye ; eyen, //., 30 13, 
117 19. 

facyon, sb., shape, fashion, 125 12. 

fadom, sb., fathom, 221 27. 

falle, v., to fall ; fylle, //., 69 21. 

fare, sb., journey, doing, business, 
behavior, 230 26. 

fay, sb., fay, fairy, person endowed 
with supernatural powers (sur- 
name of Morgan, king Arthur's 
sister), 37 30 

fayne, adj., glad, 73 31. 

fayter, sb., imposter, vagabond, 
pretender, 64 19. 

feaute, sb., track, trace, 200 22. 

feaute, sb., fealty, fidelity, the vas- 
sal's oath to his feudal lord, 
110 6. 

fer, ferre, adj., adv., far, 51 11, 
146 26, 165 15. 

fere, v., to fear, 29 2. 

fete, sb., deed, knightly feat ; 
fetys,//., 119 27. 



fette, v., to fetch, 35 9 ; fet, pt., 

5 :3(). 
fewning, sb., thrusting, 220 15. 
flammynge, sb., flaming, 156 1. 
flee, v., to fly, flee ; flay, pt., 121 13. 

Cf. Mod. Lang. Notes, x. 93. 
fleme, sb., to put to flight, 111 9. 
flete, v., to float, swim, 85 11. 
flore, v., to flower, flourish, 209 12. 
florysshe, v., to flourish, to cause 

to prosper, 208 28, 209 14. 
force, sb., force, matter, conse- 
quence, compulsion ; no force, 

it matters not, 45 4 ; I take no 

force, 53 26. 
fordo, v., to destroy, perish, 79 23. 
forne. See to forne. 
forthynke, v., to repent, 54 13, 

149 10 ; me forthynketh, 153 3. 
forward, adj., ready, 71 3. 
foryeve, v., to forgive; foryaf, //., 

26 19. 
fowle, sb., bird, 116 26. 
foyle, v., to tread down, to trample 

on, 209 19. 
foyne, sb., a thrust, a prick, 221 26. 
frunt, sb., front, 65 5. 
fyaunce, sb., promise, confidence, 

trust, 20 8. 
fyersly, adv., fiercely, boldly, 

56 30. 
fynde, v., to find; y-fonde, //., 

134 29. 

galeye, sb., galley, a long, low- 
built ship with one deck, 214 3. 

garnysshe, v., to supply, equip, 
to provide with, 16 5. 

germayn, adj., closely allied, 
derived from the same stock, of 
the first degree, 67 12. 



330 



GLOSSARY. 



gete, v., to get, gain, beget ; gate, 

pt., 1 16. 
gonne, sb., gun, 212 2. 
Gramercy, sb.., many thanks, 36 7. 
grete, adj., great, 15 9; gretter, 

cottip., 19 5. 
gryffon, j'/^., griffin, 34 26. 
grym, ^z^^'., fierce, horrible, grim, 

heavy, 72 17. 
grysely, tz^'., horrible, dreadful, 

176 29. 
gyse, sb.pl., geese, 31 i: 

halse, v., to embrace, 75 4. 

harneis, j-*^., armor, 90 28. 

hate, v., to be called ; hyght, /A, 

16 9. 
hauberk, sb., a coat of ringed mail, 

armor protecting the neck, 57 20. 
haute pry nee, the high prince ; 

surname of Galahad, son of 

Launcelot, and of Galahad of 

Surluse, 171 29. 
hede, heede, sb., head, 53 24. 
hele, sb., health, soundness, salva- 
tion, 142 2. 
helpe, 7'., to help ; halpe, pt., 70 9 ; 

holpen, //., 143 ii. 
hem, pron., them, 21 33. 
hens, adv., hence, 15 17. 
her, pron., their, ZZ 5. 
herberowe, sb., lodging, shelter, 

111 20. 
herberowe, v., to lodge, provide 

shelter, 109 10. 
here, sb., hair, 134 25. 
herowde, sb., herald, 175 30. 
herte, sb., hart, 138 14. 
hit, pron., it, 15 1. 
hole, hool, adj., whole, entire, 16 

22; holer, comp., 44 \h. 



holte, sb., a wood, holt, wooded 

hill, grove, 225 18. 
hoost, sb., host, army, 16 14. 
hore, adj., hoar, hairy, white or 

grayish-white, aged, 75 30. 
hostry, sb., inn, 54 24. 
howsel, v., to housel, to administer 

the Eucharist; howselyd, //., 

236 31. 
hurtle, v., to rush, to dash against, 

to throw down, 43 19. 
hydous, adj., dreadful, terrible, 

229 5. 
hye, hyhe, v., to hie, hasten, 54 33. 
hyghe, adj., high, 22 15. 
hyght. See hate, 
hyhenes, sb., highness, 95 1. 
liylle, v., to cover, protect, 163 18. 
hynde, sb., hind, female of a stag, 

200 21. 

jesseraunce, sb. See jesseraunte. 

jesseraunte, sb., a short cuirass of 
fine mail, 29 7; jesseraunce, 
91 4. See note to 29 7. 

joyne, v., to enjoin upon, to com- 
mand, 119 28. 

justes, sb., tournament ; a justes, 
22 27. See note. 

kay, sb., key, 108 24. 

kele, v., to cool, 209 24. 

kepe, v., to preserve, guard, ob- 
serve, 29 15. 

kepe, sb., heed, 104 9. 

kerve, v., to carve, 127 i. 

knouleche, sb., knowledge, 178 11. 

knylle, v., to knell, toll, 233 17. 

kybbet, sb., cubit, 236 13. 

kynde, sb., kind, nature, race, 
146 9. 



GLOSSARY. 



331 



laste, v., to extend, 129 21. 
laton, sb.^ brass, bronze, 66 8. 
laughe, v., to laugh ; lough, pt., 

28 30. 
laules, adj., lawless, liZ 14. 
launcynge, sb., launching, 214 6. 
lawde, sb., praise, 179 13. 
layne, v., to hide, conceal, 178 19. 
layte, sb., lightning, 143 17. 
leche, sb., physician, 33 11. 
lead, sb., lead, 235 22. 
leef, adj., dear, beloved, glad ; 

lever, comp., rather, 64 26, 140 17. 
lene, v., to lend, grant, 169 19. 
lenger, adj. and adv., comp., longer, 

159 21. 
lese, v., to lose, 31 13. 
lette, v., to hinder, 214 4. 
lever. See leef. 
levyd, adj., covered with leaves, 

172 7. 
lewde, adj., unlearned, ignorant, 

simple, base, 47 20. 
leyne, pp., lain, 154 25. 
leyser, sb., leisure, 239 lo. 
londage, sb., landing, coming 

ashore, 214 4. 
long, longe, v., to belong, 21 16, 

90 28. 

lough, pt. of laughe, 28 30. 
lycours, adj., lecherous, 209 22. 
lyfte, adj., 141 5. 
lygge, v., to lie, 214 23 ; lyen, 

pp.; 15 12. 

lymme, sb., limb, 217 30. 

lyste, v., impers., to desire ; me 

lyst, 68 30. 
lyttar, sb., a vehicle containing a 

bed, 20 24. 
lyvelode, sb., way of life, mode of 

Ufe, 19 31. 



mageste, sb., majesty, 162 i. 

magre, prep., in spite of, 42 16. 

make, v., to make ; maad, pp., 
1 22. 

maker, sb., maker, writer, author, 
poet, 239 29. 

male engyn, sb., evil disposition, 
malice, wickedness, 192 14. 

marche, sb., march, boundary, 
border, 7)Z 23. 

masse peny, sb., offering at the 
altar, 197 7. See note. 

matere, mater, sb., matter, mate- 
rial, stuff, 1 20. 

maulgre, prep., in spite of, 137 15. 
See also magre. 

maylle, sb., mail, defensive armor 
for the body, formed of steel 
rings or network, 98 l. 

maystry, sb., mastery, i.e., feat of 
skill, 24 9. 

medle, sb., medley, fight, combat, 
203 2. 

medle, v., to mix, to cohabit, 
130 27. 

mensyon, sb., commemorative in- 
scription, mention, 68 23. 

merveille, v., to wonder, to be as- 
tonished, 18 13. 

merveille, mervaylle, sb., marvel, 
wonder, 3 9. 

merveyls, adj. ? 162 22. 

mesel, sb., leprosy (f^e ivord liter- 
ally means leper), 141 29. 

messager, sb., messenger, 15 29. 

meve, v., to move, suggest, 18 25. 

mever, sb., mover, 135 2. See note. 

mo, moo, adj., comp., more, 28 31, 
160 10. 

moche, adj., adv., great, much, 
16 17. 



332 



GLOSSARY. 



mone, sh., the moon, 222 12. 
morne, sb., morning ; to morne, in 

the morning, 21 6, 74 5. 
mote, v., first pers. sijig., may, 

must, 37 15. 
moyane, sb., means ; by the moy- 

ane, by means of, 3 5; by the 

meane, 4 24. 
mykel, adj., adv., great, much, 

17 21. 

mys creature, sb., evil man } unbe- 
liever ? 125 2. 

myscreant, sb., unbeliever, 240 2. 

mysenformed, //., misinformed, 
52 30. 

mysere, sb., misery, 61 2. 

nece, sb., niece, 157 22. 

newe f angle, adj., new fangled, 

desiring new things, 213 32. 
neysshe, adj., tender, soft, 118 29. 
nold, ft., s., would not, 142 14. 

{From nylle.) 
none, sb., noon, 74 13. 
nonnerye, sb., nunnery, 230 19. 
noselynge, adv., on the nose, 

headlong, 129 10. 
noye, v., to annoy, grieve, 152 24. 
noyous, adj., hurtful, annoying, 

136 11. 
nygromancye, sb., magic, sorcery, 

necromancy, 19 2. 
nylle, 7k, first and third pers. smg., 

will not, 29 5 ; nyll, 56 28. 
nys, v., third pers. sing., is not, 

21 4. 

obeissaunce, sb., obedience, 27 9. 
ony, pron., any, 195 34. 
ooste, sb., host, inn-keeper, 70 27. 
or, prep., conj., adv., before, ere, 

18 5, 73 31. 



ore, sb., oar, 145 6. 

orgule, sb., pride, haughtiness, 
236 2. 

orgulous, adj., proud, 55 11 ; 
moost orgulist, superl., 212 24. 

other, outher, conj., either, 35 31, 
97 4. 

overthwart, adv., across, cross- 
wise, transversely, 233 14. 

owe, v., to have, 'possess, to be 
obliged to, 181 22 ; ought, //., 

19 7 ; me ought, 190 19. 

paas, sb., pace, step, passage, 17 6. 
paleys, sb., palace, 162 25 ; palais, 

163 23. 
palfroy, sb., saddle-horse, palfrey, 

89 27. 
pappe, sb., breast, 20 18. 
paramour, peramour, sb., lover, 

(applied to either sex), 70 31. 
parfyte, adj., perfect, 124 31. 
party, sb., part, portion, side ; 

partyes, //., 16 I6. 
passynge, /. prs. of to pass, used 

as adv., surpassing, very, 15 7. 
paylet, sb., pallet ; paillasse, a 

small bed, 67 16. 
pees, sb., peace, silence, 18 15. 
pelour, sb., pillar, column, 72 27. 
peryll, sb., peril, danger, 40 1. 
perysshe, v., to perish, to destroy, 

124 33. 
piere, sb., equal, 98 7. 
pierles, (7^'., without equal, 197 10. 
plyte, sb., state, condition, 231 3. 
portecolys, sb., portcullis, 69 21. 
postel, sb., apostle, 160 I6. 
posterne, sb., postern, back gate, 

20 14. 

pouse, sb., pulse, 150 11. 



GLOSSARY. 



333 



poyntemente, sh., appointment, 

agreement, 220 l. 
prayes? sb., pL, prayers, 238 6. 
prees, sb., a press, throng, 30 8. 
pretende, v., to belong to, 34 7. 
pryce, sb., price, prize, reward, 

value, estimation, 192 21. 
pryme, sb., the period from 6 

o'clock A.M. to 9 A.M., also 9 

A.M., 116 31. 
purfyl, v., to embroider on an 

edge, 4 28. 
purveye, v., to provide, 19 26. 
puyssaunce, sb., might, power, 

48 3. 
pyece, sb., piece, 188 27. 
pyghe, v., to pitch, fix, pick ; 

pyght, //., 16 15. 
pyllar, sb., plunderer, 222 12. 
pylle, v., to plunder, 222 13. 
pyteous, adj., pitiful ; pyetous, 

2 23. 

quere, sb., choir, 238 5 ; quyre, 

238 16. 
queste, v., to bark, make a noise 

like a dog; questyng, /. prs., 

4 11. 

race, v., to scrape, to tear off; 

raced, pt., 43 3i ; reaced, pt., 

43 34. 
Raynes, sb., clothe of Raynes, fine 

linen, so called from Rennes, 

235 21. 
reame, sb., realm, 21 19. 
rede, sb., to give advice, to take 

counsel, to advise, 42 14. 
redy, adj., ready, 16 5. 
reest, sb., a support for a spear, 

189 1. 



regne, v., to reign ; regned, //., 

15 2. 
reke, v., to care for, to regard, 

131 14. 
renomme, sb., renown, 100 21. 
rewe, sb., row, order, 50 27. 
roche, sb., rock, 45 13. 
royalme, sb., kingdom, 1 6. 
rubrysshe, sb., index, register, 3. 
ryvage, sb., bank of a river, 161 15. 
ryve, v., to rive, tear ; roofe, 

pt, 75 24. 

sacrynge, .r^., consecration, 149 18. 
sadly, adv., firmly, 204 34. 
sale, sb., hall, 152 15. 
salewe, sb., salute, 166 2. 
samyte, sb., a rich silk stuff, often 

interwoven with gold or silver 

threads, 45 8. 
saxd, prep., save, except, 115 30. 
sauf, adj., safe, 28 34. 
saulters, sb., psalters, 238 6. 
saye, v., to say ; seid, //., 46 i. 
scathe, v., to harm, 68 4. 
seace, v., to cease, discontinue ; 

seacyd, //., 143 20. 
sedyl, sb. See cedle. 
sege, syege, sb:, (i) seat, 87 21, 27, 

(2) siege, 16 14. 
seke, adj., sick, 16 18. 
selar, sb., ceiling, canopy, 133 11. 
semblaunt, sb., countenance, ap- 
pearance, 148 17. 
senceall, sencial, sb., seneschal, 

steward, 25 9. 
sendel, sb., a fine, rich cloth, 87 18. 
servage, sb., thraldom, servitude, 

109 20. 
sewe, v., to follow, attend on, 

105 11. 



334 



GLOSSARY. 



shal, v., shall ; shold, /A, 15 15. 

Sherthursdaye, sb., the Thursday 
before Easter, so called from the 
custom of shearing or shaving 
the beard on that day, 159 32. 

shette, v., to shut ; shytte, //., 
148 22 ; shitte, //., 152 19. 

shevere, v., to break into shivers, 
40 29. 

shryche, sb., shriek, cry, 176 28. 

shryve, v., to confess, 194 24. 

shyrly, adv., clearly, shrilly, 
sharply, 193 19. 

skafhold, sb.., stage, elevated plat- 
form, scaffold, 171 18 ; skaf- 
foldes, //., 202 17. 

slee, v., to slay, 26 16 ; slough, pt., 
34 27. 

soden, sodeyne, sodayne, adj., 

sudden, 15 23, 58 18. 
sonde, sb., a sending, gift, message, 

212 32. 
sothe, sb. adj., truth, sooth, tone, 

50 11. 
soude, v., to strengthen, mend, 

157 5. 
souder, v., to solder, 129 2. 
sowne, v., to swoon, 222 28. 
sowne, sb., a swoon, 222 28. 
soyle, sb. ; wente to soyle, ran 

into the mire or water, took 

refuge, 200 19. 
spede, ^'., to speed, prosper, suc- 
ceed, 50 9. 
spere, v., to inquire, 113 25. 
spore, v., to spur, 35 5. 
sprenge, v., to sprinkle, diffuse ; 

sprente, pt., 133 24. 
spyrre, v., to inquire, to ask, 

229 6. Cf. spere, v. 
spyrytueltees, sb., things or holy 



places belonging to the church, 
consecrated ground, 165 14. 

starke, adj., adv., wholly, entirely, 
quite, 221 34. 

store, v., to stir, to move, 150 13. 

stere, v., to steer, lead, direct, 
195 24. 

sterte, v., to start, 36 5. 

Steven, sb., voice, 236 23; favor- 
able time for performing an 
action, 71 27. 

strajrte, adj., adv., strait, strict, 
narrow, 203 10. Cf. streyte. 

strene, sb., race, progeny, 50 24, 

94 27. 

strejrte, adj., strait, narrow, 62 u. 

stynte, v., to stint, to cease, pause, 
29 19, 182 26. 

stynte, sb., stint, portion allotted 
to somebody; stynte of my 
land, 44 14. 

suraunce, sb., assurance, 28 4. 

sustene, v., to sustain, 145 23. 

swalowe, sb., a whirlpool, gulf, 
124 15. 

sweven, sb., dream, 237 22. 

syege, sb. See sege. 

syn, adv., since, 26 29, 154 12. 

sythen, adv., coiij., since, after- 
wards, 40 5; sythe, 130 i. 

take, v., to take ; toke, pt., 134 20 ; 
take, pp., 155 3. 

tame, v., to conquer, crush, sub- 
due, 77 19. 

tatche, sb., quality, mark, sign, 
fault, 51 26. 

tene, sb., grief, vexation, injury, 
73 21. 

the, th', def. art; themperour, 
1 24; thoppynyon, 12 22 ; ther- 



GLOSSARY. 



335 



mytage, 12 so ; tharchebys- 
shop, 12 30 ; thabyte, 12 3i ; 
thold, 69 29 ; therth, 235 23. 

tho, pron. dem., def. art. pi., those, 
32 5. 

thrange, sb., crowd, 205 15. 

threste, v., to thrust, 174 8. 

thryes, adv., thrice, 214 21. 

to, (i) prep., to, at, in, upon, into, 
against, as, until ; as sign of 
inf. combined with verbal ele- 
ment, tenprynte, 1 8; (2) prefix, 
asunder, in twain, to pieces. 
See below. 

to forne, adv., prep., before, 112 
7. 

to gyder, to gyders, adv., to- 
gether, 43 2. 

to ryve, v., to tear, to rend to 
pieces, 48 14. 

to shever, v., to smash, to reduce 
to shivers, 40 29. 

tornoye, sb., tournament, 3 22. 

tray, sb., grief, affliction, 73 21. 

trest, sb., possibly " a station 
appointed in hunting." ^^See note 
itt Sommer''s ed. of Le Morte 
Darthur, vol. ii, p. 22j.) 

troncheon, truncheon, sb., broken 
piece of a spear-shaft, truncheon, 
40 31, 68 25. 

trowe, v., to believe, 161 32. 

truage, sb., tribute, 4 19. 

twyes, adv., twice, 70 19. 

ubblye, sb., wafer, sacramental 
bread, 159 2. 

umbecaste, v., to cast about, con- 
sider, 200 21 . 

underne, undorn, sb., the time be- 
tween sunrise and noon or be- 



tween noon and sunset, a meal- 
time, 84 6. 

undertake, v., to warrant, dare 
say, 169 9. 

unhappe, sb., ill luck, misfortune, 
228 21. 

unneth, adv., scarcely, 83 17. 

unsyker, adj., uncertain, 166 6. 

utteraunce, sb., extremity, the 
uttermost, 186 29. 

valewe, sb., value, 53 3. 
valyaunt, adj., valiant, brave ; 

valyaunts men, 59 I8. 
vaward, sb., vanguard, 63 28. 
veray, adj., true, 1 11. 

wallop, sb., gallop, 40 14, 176 15. 

Walysshe, adj., Welsh, 204 22. 

wanne, v., to wane, grow less, ebb, 
224 5. 

wappe, v., to wap, to lap, 224 5. 

wawe, sb., wave, 155 13. 

waykely, adv., weakly, with diffi- 
culty, 222 3. 

wayte, v., to watch, 17 28. 

wayte, sb., watch, guard, 196 28. 

webbe, sb., sheet of thin plate of 
lead, 235 22. 

wede, sb., weed, garment, 138 22. 

welde, v., to wield, control, 180 5. 

werche, v., to ache ; werches, 
222 22. 

werre, sb., war, 15 28. 

wars, adj., comp., worse, 29 28. 

wete, v., to know, observe, to 
keep, guard, 137 27 ; wyst, pt., 
148 29; wote, /rj., 139 10. 

withstande, v., to resist ; with- 
stand, //., 49 11. 

wold,//. ^Vt" wylle. 



336 



GLOSSARY. 



wonderly, adv., wonderfully, 15 22. 
woode, adj., mad, raging, 189 20. 
worship, sb., honor, 17 20. 
worshippe, v., to honor, 88 30. 
wote, prs. See wete. 
wrake, sb., destruction, misery, 

mischief, 231 13. 
wroth, wrothe, adj., wroth, angry ; 

wrothe, 15 22. 
wyghtly, adv., actively, swiftly, 

strongly, 219 2. 
wyl, wylle, v., to will, to desire ; 

wold, pt., 16 6. 
wyn, Wynne, v., to win, overcome; 

wanne, pt., 63 7. 
wyte, wytte, sb., blame, 48 20, 

65 24. 
wytte, sb., wisdom, intelligence, 

reason, 168 12. 



wytty, adj., wise-^ wyttyest, 
super I., 126 18. 

y-, prejix, O. E. ge--, y-fonde, 

134 29. See fynde. 
yate, sb., gate, 20 14. 
ye, adv., yes, 146 4. 
yefte, sb., gift, 31 10. 
yelde, v., to pay, yield ; yelde, pt., 

21 15 ; yelded,//., 165 6 ; yolden, 

//., 140 4. 
yeman, sb., yeoman, 219 2. 
yeve, v., to give, 19 9. Cf. gyve, 
yis, adv., yes, 72 15. 
yle, sb., isle, island, 146 26. 
ylle, adj., adv., bad, ill, 136 1. 
ynough, adj. adv., enough, 168 22. 
yssue, sb., issue ; yssues, //., 16 

13. 



INDEX 



TO 



MALORY'S MORTE DARTHUR. 



Abblasoure, castel of, 107. 

Abel, 130-132. 

Accolon of Gaulle, 67. 

Adam, 130. 

Aglovale, brother of Percy val, 112. 

Agravayne, 34, 66, 173, 194, 196, 
202, 203, 205. 

Albons, St., 20. 

Al-halowmasse Day, 188, 190, 191. 

Almesburye, 12, 13, 227, 234. 

Alyduke, 174, 175. 

Alysaunder le Orphelyn, 175. 

Amesbury. See Almesburye. 

Anguysshe of Irland, 167, 171, 
191, 199, 202. 

Antemes, 32. 

Anwyk, 237. 

Arthur, 1-7, 10-14, 18, 20, 21, it,- 
40, 42-59, 62-68, 80, 84, 86-88, 
93, III, 117,118, 135, 137, 153, 
154, 161, 166, 167, 169, 171-175, 
177-180, 182-184, 188, 190, 191, 
194, 196-199, 202, 204-209,211- 
229, 234, 236, 240. 

Astolat, 10, II, 168, 169, 170, 180, 
182, 183, 184, 187, 188, 192, 197. 

Astolat, fayre maiden of. See 
Elayne le Blank. 

Avelyon, lady Lylle of, 49, 56. 

Avylyon, vale of, 225. 



Babyloyne, 165. 

Bagdemagus, 96-98, 153, 155 ; 

Basdemagus, 67. 
Balan, Balen, 5, 6, 11, 58-60, 62- 

66, 77-80, 89. 
Balen, Balyn, i, 5, 6, t^t^, 48-80, 89. 
Ban, 3, 4, 31, 32, 34. 
Baramdoune, 216, 229. 
Barcias, t()\ Barsias, 26. See also 

Brastias. 
Barnard of Astolat. See Bernard. 
Bawdewyn, Baudewyn of Bretayn, 

26, 27, 29, 177, 189. 
Beaumayns, 2. See Gareth. 
Bedegrayne, 31, 34. 
Bedevere, Bedwere, 12, 173, 

(Pedever, 204), 205, 219-227, 

232, 233, 239. 
Bellangere le Beuse, 174, 175. 
Benwyck, 32, 215. 
Bernard of Astolat, 169, 170, 171, 

180, 181, 192, 193, 195. 
Blamor de Ganys, 174, 233, 239. 
Bleoberys, 174, 233, 239. 
Bleoheris, misprint for Bleoberis(.''), 

233- 
Bleyse, 30. 
Borre, 31. 

Bors, kyng of Gaule, 31, 32, 34. 
Bors, son of Kyng Bors, 2-4, 8-1 1, 



338 



INDEX. 



83, 84, 88, 123-125, 134, 136, Cornewayl, duke of, 3. See also 



140, 143, 154,156, I57» 160-162, 
164-166, 174, 175, 183-192, 199, 
203-206, 230, 233, 236-239. 

15racias. See Brastias. 

Erandyles, 172, 173, 196. 

Brastias, 17, 29, 31, 199; Bracias, 
20, 27. See also Barcias. 

Bretayne, Brytagne, i, 33, 90, 100, 
177, 189, 202. 

Cador, 239. 

Callahadys welle {for Galahads), 

155- 
Calydone, 125. 

Camelot, 49, 59, 61, 65, 80, 82, 83, 

84, 90, 92,96, 154, 165, 167, 171, 

180. 
Camylyard, 31, 32. 
Candylmas Day, 25, 31,'! 99, 201, 

208. 
Carados, Cardos, 27, 30. 
Carbonek, castel of, 9, 122, 151, 

156. 
Carlyon, 27, 28, 30, 34, 37, 46. 
Carteloyse, 135. 
Caunterburye, 12, 21, 26, 29, 211, 

212, 216, 225, 226, 232, 235, 
> 239. 
Caxton, I ; his preface, 1-2 ; his 

table of contents, 3-13- 
Caym, 130. 

Chalaunce of Claraunce, 202. 
Claraunce, 202. 
Clarras, 233. 

Clartus of Clere Mounte, 239. 
Claudas, 32, 161. 
Claudyne, 161. 
Collybe, see of, 123. 
Colombe, 60. 
Constantyn, 13; Costantyn, 239. 



Tyntagil, duke of. 
Cornwayl, Cornewaill, 15, 33, 49, 

59, 219, 239. 
Cote male taylle, 2. 
Crystmasse, Crystemasse, 11, 21, 

25, 198, 199. 

Davyd, 8, 131, 132. 
Denmarke, 103, 157. 
Dodynas le Saveage, 172, 173. 
Dover, 12, 213, 214, 216, 229, 233. 

Ector de Marris, brother of 
Launcelot, 8, 13, 121, 122, 153, 
154, 174. 175' 205, 233, 238, 239. 

Ector, father of Kay, 19, 20, 23, 

24. 25, yi^ 39- 
Edward the Fourth, 240. 
Eester, feste of, 25 ; Ester, 208. 
Egglame, 46. 
Elayne, 18 (called Elayne le 

Blank, 170), 171, 180-185, 187- 

189, 192-195, 197. 
Elyazar, 157. 
Englond, 12, 15, 20, 22, 28, 49, 211, 

213, 219, 227, 228, 229, 233, 238, 

239- 
Epynogrys, 172, 173. 
Ertanax, 125. 
Estorause, 162. 
Estsex, 217. 
Eufrate, 125. 
Eve, 130. 
Evelake, 7, 99, 100. See also 

Mordrayns. 
Evvangelystes, 139. 
Ewayn le Blaunche Maynys, 19, 

66. 
Excalybur, 4, 12, 30, 45, 53, 66, 

223. 



INDEX. 



339 



Feith, 124. 

Four Stones, castel of, 58. 

Gahalantyne, 239. 

Gaherys, 34, 66, 173, 202, 203, 205, 
228. 

Galahad, Galahalt, son of Launce- 
lot, 2, 6-10, 73, 80, 83, 87-91, 
94-99, 101-113, 120-126, 129, 
130, 134-138, 140-144, 146, 147, 
154-167, 232. 

Galahaut, Galahad, the haute 
prynce of Surluse, 167, 171, 172, 
176, 179. 19I' 199. 202, 203. 

Galleron of Galway, 172, 173. 

Galyhodyn, 174, 205, 233, 239. 

Galyhud, 174, I75. 265, 233, 239. 

Gareth, i (called Beaumayns, 2), 
34,66, no, 191, 192, 203-208, 
228. 

Garlon, 6, 68-71. 

Garlot, land of, 18. 

Garlyon, 4. See also Carlyon. 

Garnysshe of the Mount, 74, 75. 

Gaule, 157, 161. 

Gawayn, Gaweyn, 6-8, n, 12, 18, 
34, 65, 66, 69, 80, 86, 88, 91-93, 
95, 110-112, 121-122, 153, 154, 
171. ^11>^ 175' 179-184,187, 191, 
194, 202-206, 214-216, 218, 219, 
221, 222, 228, 229. 

Glastynburye, 13, 212, 227, 235. 

Gohaleanjyne, 233. 

Gore, land of, 19, 27, 153, 155, 202. 

Graile. See Holy Graile and San- 
greall. 

Grasians, 32. 

Gryflet, 4, 39-41, 112 ; le Fyse de 
Dieu, 172, 173, 204, 205. 

Guenever, Gwenever, 13, 32, 82, 
94-96, 167-168, 1S3-185, 187, 



190, 194,196, 199,209, 211, 212, 
216, 227, 228, 230-232, 234-237. 
Gylford, 168. 

Hamborow, 237. 

Herlews le Berbeus, 68. 

Hermel, 74. 

Hernox, 137. 

Hervys de Revel, 64. 

Holy Graile, 92,95, 119, 142. See 

also Sangreall. 
Holy Lande, 239. 
Hondred Knyghtes, kyng with 

the, 4, 167, 179, 191, 199. 
Howel of Bretayne, 202. 
Hurlame, 126, 127. 

Idres, 33. 

Igrayne, 3, 4, 15-19, 21, 28, 34, 

36-39- 
Irelonde, 5, 28, 47, 55, 56, 57, 60, 

129, 157,167,171, 172, 191, 199, 

202. 
Israel, 145. 

Jherusalem, 99, 119. 
Jordanus, 17, Jordans, 19. 
Joseph of Armathye, 7, 73, 81, 87, 

99' 155-158. 164. 

Joseph, the sone of Joseph of Ar- 
mathye, 99, 100, lOI. 

Josue, 131. 

Joyous Garde, 13, 237, 238. 

Kay, Kaye, Kaynus, i, 2, 23-27, 
29, 63, 84, 86, 172, 173, 196, 
204-206. 

Kente, 217, 219. 

Labor, Kynge, 126. 
Lady Daye, 167, 171. 
Lady of the Lake, 4, 5, 45, 53, 54, 
55, 58, 226. 



340 



INDEX. 



Lamorak de Galys, Lamerak of 

Walis, 44, 192, 205. 
Launcelot, i, 2, 5-13, 60, 79, 80, 

82-91, 93-96, 113-117, ii9» 120, 

122, 124, 144-155,161, 164-195, 

197-201, 203-208, 211, 213-218, 

222, 227-239. 
Launceor, 5, 55, 57, 60. 
Lavayn, 10, 11, 169, 171-178, 182, 

184-186, 188, 189, 192-194, 198, 

199, 201, 203-207. 
Leodegraunce, 4, 31, 32, y^. 
Logres, 9, 124, 126, 135, 152, 153, 

156, 160, 165. 
London, 20-23, 49, 180, 183, 211, 

212, 216, 217, 228, 233. 
Longeus, 73. 
Lord, our, 9, 60, T-}^, 79, 81, 84, 91- 

94, 98, 99, 102, 106, 112, 117- 

119, 124, 128, 130, 132, 133, 135, 

137-139. 144, 145' 148-152, 155- 

156, 158-164, 227, 231, 240. 
Loth of Orkeney, of Lowthean 

and of Orkenay, 5, 18, 27-30, 

34, 48, 63-66, 69, 215. 
Lowthean, 18, 27. 
Lucan the Buttelere, 173, 204, 205, 

219-223, 226. 
Lucius, the Emperor, i. 
I>yanowre, 109. 
Lylle of Avelyon, 49, 56. 
Lyonel, i, 2, 83, 84, 154, 174, 175, 

205, 233. 
Lyonors, 31. 
Lyonses Payarne, 32. 
Lysteneyse, 70. 

Mador, 10, 167. 

Maleore, Malory, Syr Thomas, 14, 

240. 
Margawse, iS. 



Marke of Cornewayl, 5, 59, 60, 61. 
Mary, the Virgin, 131, 139. 
May Day, 4, 48. 

May, moneth of, 208, 209, 215, 216. 
Mayden of the Lake, 10. 
Maydens, castel of, 7, 107, 109, 

III, 112, 113. 
Melyas, 7, 103-106, no. 
Melyot, castel of, 67. 
Melyot de Logrys, 172, 173. 
Merlyn, i, 3-6, 16-21, 24, 26, 28- 

32, 36-39, 41, 42, 44-46, 48, 55, 

60-64, 66, 67, 'j:i^, 79, 80. 
Mever of Blood, 135. 
Mondrames, 100. 
Mordrayns, 9, 128, 154. See also 

Evelake. 
Mordred, 4, 12, 34, 48, 65, 172, 

173, 194, 202-205, 211-214, 

216-221, 225-229. 
Morgan le Fey (Fay), 18, 37, 66, 

67, 226. 
Morgause, 66. 
Mortoyse, 144. 
Mylis, 39. 

Nacyen, 90, 94, loi, 128, 129. 

Naram, 47. 

Nauntres. See Nayntres. 

Nauntys, 33. 

Nayntres of Garloth, 27, 33. Cf. 

Nentres. 
Nentres, 18. Cf. Nayntres. 
Nero, 5, 34, 63, 64, 65. 
Newe Yeersday, 22. 
North, the, 27, 33. 
Northfolk, 217. 
Northgalys, Northwalys, 31, 34, 

47, 49, 63, 167, 171, 172, 174, 

175, 176, 179, 188, 190, 191, 199, 

201, 202, 226. 



INDEX. 



341 



Northumberland, 30, 52, 54, 80, 
167, 171, 172, 174, 176, 199, 202, 
206. 

Nynyve, 226. 

Orkeney, Orkenay, 5, 18, 27, 63, 

65, 215. 
Ozanna le Cure Hardy, 172, 173. 

Palamydes. See Palomydes. 

Palmsondaye, 119. 

Palomydes, 35, 172, 191, 203, 204, 

205. 
Paradyse, 130, 156. 
Pelham, Pellam, 6, 70-73, 80. 
Pelles, 8, 82, 87-89, 129, 130, 152, 

153. 157.158- 
Pelleas, 205, 226. 
Pellynore, 4, 35, 43, 44, 46, 65, 66, 

69. 
Pentecost, 3, 6, 26, 27, 82, 84, 198. 
Percy vale, Persy val, 8-10, 44, 86, 

91, 113, 121, 123-125, 127, 128, 

134, 136, 140, 142-144, 154, 156, 

157, 160-162, 164-166. 
Percy vale's sister, 8, 9, 70, 138, 

140, 142, 143, 145, 162. 
Peryn de Mountbeliard, 69. 
Pescheours, 115; Petchere, 87. 
Pharyaunce, 32. 
Powlis chirch, 22. 

Questyng beest, 4, 35. 

Raynes, 235. 

Rome, 4, 41. 

Round Table, 14, 27, 31, 50, 53, 
82, 84, 88, 90, 91, 93-96, 112, 
115, 117, 154, 155, 161, 172, 173, 
175, 178, 180, 191,194, 198, 199. 
202, 203, 204, 206, 215, 227, 240. 



Ryence, Ryons, 4, 5, 31-34. 47-5°' 
61-63. 

Safyr, 172, 173, 204, 205. 

Sagramor le Desyrus, 172, 173. 

Salamon, Salomon, 8, 131-134. 

Salysbury, 67, 165, 217. 

Sanam, 31. 

Sangreall, 2, 7-10, 14, 66, 70, ']t,, 
80, 85,88-90, 92, 94, 106, III, 
115,139, 146-149. 151. 152. 157- 
159, 161-166, 231, 232, 240. 

Sarasyns, 33, 99, 126, 201. 

Sarras, 99, 142, 158, 160, 162, 166. 

Saynt Albons, 20. 

Saynt Stevyns, chirche of, 65. 

Scotland, 27, 28, 33, 49, 135, 238. 

Scottes, kynge of, 191. 

Sherewood, 31. 

Sherthursday, 159. 

Sorhaute, 33. 

Southfolke, 217. 

Southsex, 217. 

Stevyns, chirche of Saynt, 65. 

Surluse, 191. 

Surrey, 217. 

Syege Peryllous, 6, 86, 88 ; Sage 
Perillous, 84, 87. 

Symyan, 155. 

Syvarne, ryver, 107. 

Table Round. See Round Table. 

Temse, 195, 196. 

Terrabyl, castel of , 16; Tarabil, 18. 

Tirre, Tyrre, 169, 181, 192, 195. 

ToUeme la Feyntes, 99, loi. 

Trent, 27. 

Trynyte Sonday, 217. 

Trystram, 2, 5, 60, 192, 205. 

Turkes, 240. 

Turnaunce, Yle of, 128. 



342 



INDEX. 



Twelfth Day, 25. 

Tyntagil, castel of, 16-19, 28, 38. 

Tyntagil, duke of, 15, 18. 

Ulfyn, 122. 

Ulfyus, 4, 16-18, 20, 26, 27, 31, 

37-39- 
Uryens, 19, 26, 33, 66, 67, 202. 
Utherpendragon, i, 3, 15-21, 26, 

28, 3^-39' 41 > 49- 
Uwayne, 96, 98, no, iii. 

Vagon, 96. 
Vance, lady de, 62. 



Wales, Walys, 3, 20, 27, 28, t^t^, 

49, 238. 
Wandisborow, 33. 
Waste Londes, 226. 
Westmynster, 195, 199 ; West- 

mestre, 240. 
Whytsonday, 80, 84, 167. 
Wyllyars, 233. 
Wyllyats de Balyaunt, 239. 
Wynchester, 7, 10, 80, 167, 168, 

171, 172,180, 183-186,188, 194, 

211. 
Wyndesoore, 199, 207. 



INDEX 

TO 

INTRODUCTION AND NOTES. 



A doyng, 263. 

A fourty yere, 284, 286. 

Abarmathie, 275. 

Abel, tree under which he was 
slain, 285. 

Adjectives, nouns used as, 282. 

Al only, 276. 

Allegorical interpretation, 279. 

Almesburye, 318. 

Angels bearing soul to heaven, 
292. 

Anguysshe, 295. 

Anwyk, 321. 

Appealing for treason, 255. 

Arnold's Tristram and Iseult, xlvi, 
xlix. 

Arthurian stories, in English, xxvii; 
in French, xxvi-xxviii, xxxv- 
xxxviii; sources of, xxix-xxxviii. 

Arthur's historical existence, 
xxxiv; birth, 247 ; conquests, 
251 ; sword, 252 ; marriage, 253 ; 
dream, 313; final battle, 314; 
removal to Avalon, 316 ; com- 
ing again, 318 ; tomb, 318. 

Aryven, 286. 

Ascham, Roger, his opinion of the 
Morte Darthicr, jzxxix. 

Astolot, 296. 

At certayne, 285. 

Avalon, 316, 317. 



Bagdemagus, 265, 289. 

Balin and Balan, Tennyson's, 

260 ; quoted, 265, 267, 269. 
Balin's fight with his brother, 268. 
Balyn, the name, explained, 261. 
Baramdoune, 312. 
Bath, herbs for a, 300. 
Be holdyng to, 249. 
Bed, enchanted, 270. 
Benwyck, 252. 
Beoivulf, quoted, 287. 
Bemers, Lord, his Artus de la Bre- 

tagne and Huo7t ofBourdeaux, xl. 
Besauntes, 317. 
Betwixe, 262. 
Blackmore's Prince Arthur, xlii, 

xliii. 
Bleyse, 252. 
Blood feud, 263. 
Blood, healing power of, 266, 286, 

291. 
Bone, virtues of, 283. 
Bors, 273. 
Bothes (gen.), 270. 
Brandyles, 298. 
Brant's Narrenschiff, xi. 
Bridge of Dread, 270. 
Bulwer's King Arthur, xlv, xlvi. 
Burial in a ship, 287. 
Btit he, 249, 276. 
Buttovi, 300. 



344 



INDEX TO INTRODUCTION AND NOTES. 



Calydone, 283. 

Came ride^ 262. 

Camelot, 260. 

Candelmas, 250. 

Cantel, 257. 

Capgrave, ix. 

Carboneck, 282. 

Carlyon, 251. 

Carr's King Arthur, xlix. 

Castel of Maydens, 279. 

Castle, collapsed, 267. 

Caxton, V, vi, xiii, xiv, xx-xxiii, 
xxix, Ivi. 

Caym, 285. 

Celtic sources of the Arthurian 
legends, xxx-xxxv. 

Chamberlain, 250. 

Chastity, tests for, 260. 

Chester, Robert, his ICiiig Arthur, 
xli. 

Child given as a payment for ser- 
vice, 246. 

Chretien (Chrestien) de Troyes, 
xxxvii, 293. 

Claudas, King, 253. 

Collybe, 282. 

Colors, virtues of, 283. 

Coming of Arthur, Tennyson's, 
quoted, 247. 

Comparatives, double, 281. 

Connecting link to Bk. ii, 260 ; to 
Bk. xiii, 271-273; to Bk. xvii, 
281 ; to Bk. xviii, 293 ; to Bk. 
xxi, 304, 305. 

Constable, 250. 

Coronation, importance of, 250. 

Costantyn, 323. 

Cote male taylle, 244. 

Courtesy in fighting, 256. 

Disguise, fighting in, 268. 
Disguises of Merlin, 252. 



Dole, 319, 321. 
Dolorous stroke, 267. 
Double comparatives, 281. 
Dreams in Arthurian romances, 

254; Arthur's dream, 313. 
Dryden's Arthurian opera, xiii. 
Dwarf, 263. 
Dyd . . . do wryte, 252. 
Dyd (expletive), 296. 
Dyryge, 320. 

Ector de Marys, brother of Launce- 
lot, 282. 

Ector, Sir, the foster-father of Ar- 
thur, 247. 

Edward the Fourth, ix yere of the 
regne of kyng, 323. 

Elaine, Tennyson's, quoted, 296, 
298-302, 323. 

Elyazer, 290. 

-En, plurals in, 281. 

English literature in the 1 5th cen- 
tury, X, xi. 

Epynogrys, 298. 

Ertanax, 284. 

Evelake, 278. 

Ewayn, 246. 

Excalibur, 252, 258, 261. 

Feast, Arthur's great, 250; long 
feasts, 255. 

Fifteenth century, literary charac- 
ter of the, ix-xii ; political and 
social character of the, x, xii. 

Fighting with unknown enemy, 
268, 297. 

Fortescue, ix. 

Foryetejt, 311. 

French literature, xi ; French Ar- 
thurian romances, xxvi-xxix, 
xxxv-xxxviii, Iv. 

Funeral offerings, 319. 



INDEX TO INTRODUCTION AND NOTES. 



345 



Galahad's birth and lineage, 275, 
276. 

Galahaut the haute prynce, 295. 

Gareth, 265. 

Garlon, 266. 

Gawayn overcome in fight, 29S ; 
his place of burial, 313 ; his old 
wound, 312. 

Gender, confusion of, 283, 285. 

Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia 
Regiim Britannice.) xxxv. 

German literature in the 1 5th cen- 
tury, xi. 

Gift promised carte blanche, 258. 

Girdle, magic, 284. 

Glastonbury, 311, 316. 

Glove presented as a challenge, 

255- 

Grail, Holy, literature on the leg- 
end of the, xxxvii, 273 ; inter- 
pretations of the, 275; feeds a 
multitude, 277 ; seen by Launce- 
lot, 281. 

Gylford, 296. 

Had lever, 264. 

Hall, riding into, 273. 

Hamborow, 321. 

Hathway's play on 73^*? Life and 

Death of Arthur, xl. 
Hauberk, 269. 

Hawes's Pastime of Pleasure, xl. 
Hawker's Quest of the Sangraal, 

xlviii. 
Heber's Morte Arthur, xliv. 
Herbs for a bath, 300. 
Hermits, 257. 
Hole (= whole), 291. 
Holy Grail, Tennyson's, quoted, 

274, 276, 277, 288; Lonelich's, 

quoted, 2S4. See also Grail, Holy. 



Horns, ivory, 280. 
Hors lyttar, 247. 
Hospitality in monasteries, 289. 
Howel of Bretayne, 303. 
Howseled and eneled, 321. 
Hughes, Thomas, his Misfortunes 
of Arthur, xl. 

Idres, 253. 

Illness due to love, 245. 
Invisible knight, 265. 
Italian literature in the 15th cen- 
tury, xi, xii. 

Jesseraunte, 251. 

fhesu, 247. 

Joseph of Armathe, 267. 

Joust, 249. 

Joyous Garde, 321. 

Kay, nursed by a woman of low 

rank, 247. 
Kayes, 280. 
Kenilworth, influence of Morte 

Darthur on entertainment at, 

xl. 
Kittredge, Professor, viii, xiii. 
Knight, ceremony of making a, 

274. 

Lady of the Lake, 257. 

Lancelot, romance of, xxxvii, 

xxxviii, 293, 294, 305. 
Laton, 265. 

Launcelot, eulogy on, 322, 323. 
La5amon's Briit, xxvii. 
Lette his owne fader to lande, 311. 
Lions guarding entrance to a 

castle, 287. 
Litter, horse, 247. 
Lodegreance of Camylyard, 252. 



346 



INDEX TO INTRODUCTION AND NOTES. 



Lot, King, his hatred of Arthur, 

264. 
Lot's wyf of Orkency, 253. 
Love, illness due to, 245. 

Maid, Galahad called a, 280. 

Maid wooing a man, 297. 

Maiden Castle, 279. 

Malory, Sir Thomas, popular esti- 
mate of his prose, ix ; attempted 
identification of, xii-ixix ; his 
purpose in writing the Morte 
Darthur, xxv-xxvii ; his literary 
characteristics, 1-lxii ; his dic- 
tion, Iviii-lx. 

Mandeville, ix. 

Mans persone, 261. 

Mantle adorned with kings' beards, 
258. 

Mark, King, 263. 

Marsh's comments on Malory's 
diction, Ixix. 

Masse peny, 302. 

May, month of, 303. 

Merlin, disguised as a churl, 252; 
as a child, 254; his end, 255; 
casts an enchantment, 257. 

Merlin, romance of, xxvii, xxxvi- 
xxxviii. 

Merlin, versions of the legend of, 
243, 244 ; source of Bk. i, 243 ; 
source of Bk. ii, 260. 

Mever of Blood, 285. 

Milton's references to Arthur, xlii. 

Mordrayns, 285. 

Mordred, his birth, 254 ; set afloat 
in a ship, 259; his rescue, 259. 

Morgan le Fey (Fay), 246, 25S. 
See also Lady of the Lake. 

Morris, William, his Arthurian 
poems, xlvi-xlviii. 



Morte d'' Arthur, Tennyson's, quo- 
ted, 314-316. 

Morte Darthur, Malory's, popu- 
larity of, ix ; editions of, xx- 
XXV ; purpose of, xxv-xxvii ; 
sources of, xxix-xxxviii ; history 
and influence of, xxxviii-1 ; As- 
cham's opinion of, xxxix ; liter- 
ary value of, 1. 

Mys creature, 283. 

Nacyen the heremyte, 276. 

Nero, 264. 

Numbers, cardinal, used as multi- 

plicatives, 251. 
Nygromancye, 246. 
Nynyve, forms of name, 317. 

Odor of sanctity, 322. 
Omission of subject, 267. 

Palamydes, 254. 

Paris, Gaston, his theory of the 
origin of the Arthurian ro- 
mances, xxxi-xxxiii. ^ 

Pellam, King, 267. 

Pellinore, 257, 265. 

Penance, unwillingness to do, 280. 

Pentecoste, 250. 

Percy's Reliqtces, Arthurian poems 
in, xliii, xliv. 

Persy val of Walls, 257. 

Perysshed, 262. 

Petchere, King, 275. 

Powlis, church of St., 248. 

Prifne, 274. 

Prisoners, release of, in romances, 
280. 

Quest of the Holy Grail, xxxvii, 
Questynge beest, 254. 



INDEX TO INTRODUCTION AND NOTES. 



347 



Raynes, cloth of, 320. 

Reflexive verbs, 256. 

Relative omitted, 250. 

Requyem, 320. 

Return of a hero, supposed dead, 

318. 
Rhapsody from Wynkyn de 

Worde's Morte Darthur, 320, 

321. 
Richard, Earl of Warwick, xviii, 

xix. 
Riding into hall, 273. 
Robbing dead on battlefield, 314. 
Romanticism, Malory's influence 

on, xliii. 
Round Table, origin of, 250; num- 
ber of seats at, 278. 
Ryence, 252, 253, 258; his mantle 

adorned with beards, 258. 

Salisbury, 312. 

Sanctity, odor of, 322. 

Sarasyns, 253. 

Sarras, 290. 

Scabbard of Excalibur, 258. 

Sea, set afloat on, 259. 

Sege Perillous, 274, 275 ; occupied 

by Galahad, 275. 
Selar of a bed, 285. 
Senceall, 249, 250. 
Sequence of tenses, 245, 260. 
Sherthursday, 291. 
Shield, challenge by smiting on, 

256; marked with red cross, 

278 ; case for, 299. 
Siege, a mediaeval, 311. 
Si7' Gawain and the Green Knight, 

xxvii. 
Sleeping chamber, 278. 
Sleeve worn as a token, 298. 
Solomon's ship, 285. 



Sommer, v-viii ; his account of 
the sources of the Morte Dar- 
thur, xxxviii, 243, 260, 273, 281, 

293. 294, 305-310- 

Sorhaute, 253. 

Soul borne to heaven by angels, 
292. 

Sources of Arthurian romances, 
xxix-xxxviii ; of the Morte Dar- 
thnr, Bk. i, 243, 244 ; of Bk. ii, 
260; of Bks. xiii-xvii, 273, 281 ; 
of Bk. xviii, 293-295 ; of Bk. 
xxi, 305-310. 

Spear, bleeding, 291. 

Spenser's Faerie Queene, xli, xlii. 

Squire, 255. 

Stevyns, Saynt, 265. 

Stone, sword pulled out of, 248 ; 
floating, 270; virtues of, 283. 

Stroke, dolorous, 267. 

Suicide from grief, 262. 

Swinburne's Tristram of Lyonesse, 
xlviii; Tale of Balen, xlix, 260. 

Sword pulled out of the stone, 248; 
sword giving out light, 252 ; fa- 
mous swords, 261 ; sword pieced 
together, 285, 290. 

Symple persone, 244. 

Take no force, 262. 

Tennyson's Idylls of the King, 
xlv. See also Coming of Arthur, 
Balin and Balan, Holy Grail, 
Morte d'' Arthur. 

Terrabyl, Castle, 245. 

That (as an article), 285. 

The (redundant), 256, 282. 

This he, 276. 

This two, 278. 

Thought, to take, 254. 

Till Eulenspiegel, xi. 



348 



INDEX TO INTRODUCTION AND NOTES. 



To skevered, 2 56. 

Torches burning beside a corpse, 

320. 
Tournament, 249, 298. 
Tristan, French romance of, 

xxxvii, lii. 
Tristram, verse romance of, xxvii. 
Tyntagil, 245. 

Umbe- (prefix), 303. 
Up soo doune, 313. 
Uther-pendragon, his name ex- 
plained, 244 ; his last illness, 247. 
Uwayne, Sir, 278. 

Valyaunts men, 263. 
Vanishing, power of, 252. 
Vergyn (= man), 290. 



Wace's Romans de Brut, xxxv. 

Wager of battle, 255. 

Warwick, Earl of, xviii, xix. 

Whyte abbay, 278, 289. 

Women fighting, 255; women for- 
bidden to go on the quest for 
the Grail, 277. 

Wonder turnement, 282. 

Wooing of a man by a maid, 
297. 

Wordsworth's Egyptian Maid, 
xlvi. 

Worship, 276. 

Wyndesan, 253. 

Wynkyn de Worde's Morte Dar- 
thur, rhapsody from, 320, 321. 

Wytche, 251. 



ADVERTISEMENTS 



THE ATHENiEUM PRESS SERIES 



The following vohnnes are now ready : 

Sidney's Defense of Poesy. Edited, with Introduction and Notes, 
by ALBERT'S. Cook, Professor of English in Yale University. 103 
pages. For introduction, 80 cents. 

Ben Jonson's Timber ; or Discoveries. Edited, with Introduction and 
Notes, by Felix E. Schellinc, Professor in the University of Penn- 
sylvania. 166 pages. For introduction, So cents. 

Selections from the Essays of Francis Jeffrey. Edited, with Intro- 
duction and Notes, by Lewis E. Gates, Instructor in English in 
Harvard University. 213 pages. For introduction, 90 cents. 

Old English Ballads. Selected and edited, with Introduction and 
Notes, by Professor F. B. Gummere of Haverford College. 380 
pages. For introduction, $1.25. 

Selections from the Poetry and Prose of Thomas Gray. Edited, with 
Introduction and Notes, by Wm. Lyon Phelps, Instructor in English 
Literature in Yale College. 179 pages. For introduction, 90 cents. 

A Book of Elizabethan Lyrics. Selected and edited, with Introduction 
and Notes, by F. E. Schelling, Professor in the University of Penn- 
sylvania. 327 pages. For introduction, ^1.12. 

Herrick: Selections from the Hesperides and the Noble Numbers. 

Edited, with Introduction, Notes, and Glossary, by Professor Edward 
E. Hale, Jr., of Union College. 200 pages. For introduction, 90 
cents. 

Selections from the Poems of Keats. Edited, with Introduction and 
Notes, by Arlo Bates, Professor of English Literature, Massachu- 
setts Institute of Technology. 302 pages. For introduction, $100. 

Carlyle's Sartor Resartus. Edited, with Introduction and Commen- 
tary, by Archibald MacMechan, Professor of English in Dal- 
housie College, Halifax, N.S. pages. For introduction, 

Selections from Wordsworth's Poems. Edited, with Introduction 
and Notes, by Professor Edward Dowden, of the University of 
Dublin, pages. For introduction, 



GINN & COMPANY, Publishers. 



Cbe 

Htbenaeum (press Series. 

ISSUED UNDER THE GENERAL EDITORSHIP OF 



Professor GEORGE LYMAN KITTREDGE, 

0/ Harvard University, 



Professor C. T. WINCHESTER, 

Of Wesleyaii University. 

This series is intended primarily for use in colleges and highei 
schools ; but it will furnish also to the general reader a library of the 
best things in English letters in editions at once popular and scholarly. 
The works selected will represent, with some degree of completeness 
the course of English Literature from Chaucer to our own times. 

The volumes will be moderate in price, yet attractive in appearance, 
and as nearly as possible uniform in size and style. Each volume will 
contain, in addition to an unabridged and critically accurate text, an 
Introduction and a body of Notes. The amount and nature of the 
annotation will, of course, vary with the age and character of the work 
edited. The notes will be full enough to explain every difficulty of 
language, allusion, or interpretation. Full glossaries will be furnished 
when necessary. 

The introductions are meant to be a distinctive feature of the series. 
Each introduction will give a brief biographical sketch of the author 
edited, and a somewhat extended study of his genius, his relation to his 
age, and his position in English literary history. The introductory 
matter will usually include a bibliography of the author or the work in 
hand, as well as a select list of critical and biographical books and 
articles. 

This Series is intended to furnish a library of t he best English 
l iterature, from Chaucer to the present time, in a form adapted to the 
needs of both the student and the general reader. 



GINN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

BOSTON, NKW YORK, AND CHICAG<^. 



.^ -<^ 



.0 o. 









■'■J- \v 


*■ 





,0 







V 


x^~^ 






o'V' 








\\^ 








\' s 


s 


'^^. 


.^'>" 


*■ 


f 









\ 1 B -, -^^ 






o 


0^ 


.. 


f. 




J.-^ 


^*. 












'^. 


:*-"»'V 










-x*' 
















-^^ 



'O 









<-- 







,0- 









o '''' / . "> ^0 



\' 



\ I fl 






^^ V"' 



^" ,^'^' 






-V- .vV 



■1^ y ^ 



aO- 






'':. ,<^ 



'/' .^ 



•^ 



N^ 









4<" '^^^ fff 






> 



\^ 



■,0 

oV ^ ^ ^ " 






^' 



,%: 



> s - " " ' . 



^. ' 






'\^^ ^ 



r> 



-^^ 



^/. '^ 



'^^A >^ 



^^^ 



-\^' 



oo^ 



' '^^ V^ 



"^. 


<^^- 




x^^' 


'^/>. 


- ^ 




Kj. %" 






O "/ , 






'^u 


^ 


■ /? 


o. 




~^T,^ 


y 






.0 o 



o^ 



\^ 



-^^^ 



xV 



s ^ ■^ / ^ 



i^-^' .^ 












Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Jan. 2009 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 

111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724) 779-2111 






,0 



/ 'c- 



<^ 



•^. 



>'• 



\.4>^^s. 



.•0' , 















-^ 



.■■^ 



v\' 



•V^^-^^ -^^ 



• V 



^^A >^^ 
X^^^. 



o. 
^ -^ 



C^^ 



^^ .# 



«' ^^ \> s^^'/,. 









'o.^'-. 



^ ^^' 



X^^ 



•^C. "'^ \> s^'^/ 



.^•^^ 



■^ 



./ ,^V 



.x^' r 






% 









'o,..-* V\ 



o 0^ 



' 'V-- 






A^ ^\ 









-->, 









0' ^ ' ''' c- 






* X^ 



^ ,-^' 



•^-."'^^^V.-^' ...>«. -<, 



V. 



cS'' .o 



"'^v\-'-;V' 



^-^ 



oo 









xN 



''^<-^" < a 






^. 



\ 



^\ 



r . \' ''/ 



*^/' 



^' ^ 






A ,oN.^ V_ 






s^-'-J. 



• 0' 



\ I « 



« v- 



.-N^ 



-^/-^ V 



^V 









' >" .0- 



ci-, 



'i' 



<^^ * ., ^ ^ oO- 






J<-. 






^>^ ^ 






\ 1 « 



^ -^. 



•r? 



.^ -1 -f-' 









■-^^ 






■» r-S<Vs „ '' 



^'' 



^> •% 



